KONI urges Bappenas to release Games funds

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has appealed to the National Planning and Development Board (Bappenas) to immediately disburse Rp 5.5 billion (US$687,500) allocated from the state budget to finance training programs for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The council's official in charge of planning and budget, Togi Hutagaol, said on Wednesday the organization spent Rp 500 million from its own budget to pay in advance for the training programs for 20 sports, which started last month.

Bappenas approved the handover of the money for June after the government revised the annual state budget in April.

"I hope Bappenas will be able to hand over the money to us as soon as possible," Togi said.

KONI is encountering difficulties in financing training and accommodation for athletes being groomed for the Games.

It proposed to Bappenas the allocation of Rp 22.3 billion, but the board only agreed to Rp 5.5 billion. Fortunately, the council received a Rp 4.5 billion donation from Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS).

About Rp 3 billion of the budget will be used for athletes' transportation and accommodation to the Games' site in Brunei Darussalam, host of the biennial event for the first time, and another Rp 1.5 billion to reward the Games' medalists.

Apart from Rp 10 billion provided by the government and BPGS, Togi said the council still needed about Rp 5 billion for training.

"We will try to seek contributions from sponsors to cover the deficit. Some sports equipment producers have agreed to provide the equipment, and this minimizes our burden," he said.

Indonesia plans to send 448 athletes to compete in 20 sports at the Games which will take place from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15. (ivy)