KONI urged to reconsider bid for 2006 Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): The country's bid to host its second Asian Games (Asiad) in 2006 has attracted its first controversy with State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono urging the National Sports Council (KONI) to reconsider the plan.

Agung said during the opening of a KONI congress at Hotel Mulia Senayan on Monday that the nation might not be ready for the continent's biggest sports event.

"It's not easy to stage a major event such as the Asiad. We must take into account our financial condition, venues, accommodation, security and the conduct of local fans. We shouldn't force ourselves to do something (that we can't realize)."

KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunadar said Friday that President B.J. Habibie had agreed to the proposal and had asked the council to pursue the bid vigorously.

Indonesia, which hosted the quadrennial event in 1962, will face challenges from India and Malaysia.

In 1990, the country bid unsuccessfully for the 1994 event, won by the Japanese city Hiroshima.

"We shouldn't bid to host the Games just because we did it in 1962. It's okay for KONI to try to bring another Games here, but I hope that the bid will not increase the country's burdens," Agung said.

Financial problems resulting from the country's hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in Oct. 1997 are yet to be resolved. The underwriting consortium for the event accumulated Rp 46 billion (US$5.2 million) in debts, in addition to Rp 68 billion in financial losses.

Separately, a KONI adviser and sports observer, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said a government decree is needed if Indonesia is to bid for the Asiad.

"If the government is willing to support us, they must issue a presidential decree or other legal measures that confirm their support for the bid and all efforts undertaken to win it."

Siregar stressed the government must officially back KONI's sports development agenda, the Golden Garuda. Under the plan, Indonesia is expected to finish sixth in the medals table at the 2006 Asiad. A home advantage would help the country meet the target.

At the 1998 Games in Bangkok last December, Indonesia finished 11th with six gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Siregar, who is also in charge of athletes development affairs at the Badminton Association of Indonesia, said the council must prepare for the bid in a professional manner.

"The preparations do not solely refer to sports facilities. I don't even think we can build another sports complex during the economic crisis. It's more important to focus on human resources, namely our athletes."

Siregar suggested that KONI approach Asian countries to list Pencak Silat martial art as a sport at the 2002 Games in Pusan, South Korea before Indonesia attempted to host the quadrennial event.

"It's not only about medals, but also efforts made to promote our traditional sport, which is widely known in the world."

Professionalism

Earlier on Monday, Habibie stressed that national sports organizations should only select professional figures as their official representatives.

Opening the Koni congress at the State Palace, Habibie said that national sports should be developed and managed by people who are capable, interested and sincere.

"The more modern a society, the more imperative the requirement for professionalism is needed," he said.

"Sports development is not a simple matter that can be conducted without careful planning. It is a serious field (of endeavor) because it deals with nation building, particularly methods to develop first class human resources."

Some 350 activists of provincial sports bodies and various sports federations are here for the congress which concludes Wednesday. During the meeting, they will also elect the council chairman for the 1999/2003 period.

Habibie said he vehemently opposed the former system of government approval for nomination to senior positions within sports organizations.

"In this reform era, manipulation and other such dishonest activities whereby leaders are elected to positions with government blessings must end."

He said that sports development required systematic and well- planned agendas.

The toughest current challenge facing sporting council was the lack of government funds allocated for sports development. He suggested that the council develop mutually beneficial relations with businesspeople.

"Sports have been closely linked to the business world. Such a mutual symbiosis can only boost national sports development." (yan/prb/amd)