KONI urged to send only the best to SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The government's surprise decision to axe the budget for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games training program has left the National Sports Council (KONI) in a quandary.

But the council does not have to look far for suggestions and advice, with many people eager to get their two cents worth. What most of these people say is that KONI must be more selective in deciding which athletes it will send to the biennial event, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur in September.

A member of House of Representatives Commission VI for human resources and religious affairs, Ferdiansyah, said on Friday KONI must adjust its targets according to the available budget.

"KONI must be realistic. There are two options: maintain solidarity among SEA countries by competing in all the events or become the overall champion with a limited training budget.

"KONI must prioritize those sports in which our athletes have the best chance to win medals at the Games. Other priorities are to send juniors being prepared for the future and to compete in sports that will help build the spirit of Southeast Asia."

The government confirmed last week it would only provided Rp 5.5 billion (US$500,000) for the Games training program, a figure far below the Rp 10 billion the council was expecting.

KONI requires a total of Rp 67 billion for the SEA Games training, with Rp 48.6 billion needed for the final phase of training alone. This last phase emphasizes the centralized training program that will begin in June.

The Rp 48.6 billion comprises Rp 22.5 billion for training, Rp 20.3 billion for sports equipment and the cost of transportation to Kuala Lumpur and Rp 5.8 billion for the bonuses the council will pay to medalists.

Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar also called on KONI to prioritize those athletes with the best chance to win medals.

"KONI must consider dropping athletes who have only a slim chance to win medals. If the sports organizations insist on sending them, they must provide the money to help ease KONI's financial burden."

Agum said PSSI was providing its own financing for its training program and did not expect a budget crunch. "PSSI will definitely send its players because the Indonesian people are keen to watch their favorite team compete at the Games."

He also confirmed that PSSI would send a women's team to the biennial event. "The training program (for the women) will likely start in June. We are currently selecting the players .... I don't think the women's team has much of a chance to win a medal."

The secretary-general of the Indonesian Rowing Association, Budiman Setiawan, urged KONI to take care in spending the money it did have.

"KONI must focus on athletes, coaches, sports equipment and tryouts. It must eliminate ceremonial things like different coats for the opening and closing ceremonies. Athletes prefer to wear branded training suits, which are also necessary for their daily training."

Keep trying

The KONI official in charge of planning and budget, Togi Hutagaol, said KONI would continue to ask the government for more money.

"We'll lobby the government to give us more attention. As of right now, we have no plans to cut the number of athletes and officials going to the Games."

KONI expects to receive Rp 15 billion from the Gelora Bung Karno Management Board, and Togi said state Bank Mandiri had promised Rp 10 billion and a number of companies planned to contribute a total of Rp 3 billion. However, none of this money has yet to be received by the council.

Ferdiansyah and Budiman also expressed their regret with the government's lack of monetary support for the training program.

"It's further evidence that the government is not concerned with the development of national sports. Despite the economic crisis, if KONI needed Rp 67 billion the government should have given it at least Rp 25 billion.

"If the government wants to provide additional support, hopefully it can disburse a more significant amount of money, not just one or two billion rupiah," Ferdiansyah said.

Budiman said: "Stop politicizing sports. The government says that it has no money to develop sports but I'm sure it has some money. We are talking about developing young people and improving our tarnished image.

"It's important to send as many athletes as possible to the SEA Games because it is the lowest level multisport event. Later, we must select athletes for the Asian Games."

Indonesia plans to send some 600 athletes to Kuala Lumpur and hopes to bring home at least 60 gold medals. (ivy)