Mahadi sees four problems in sports development
Mahadi sees four problems in sports development
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Mahadi Sinambela said on Tuesday fund-raising remained a major
impediment to developing sports in the country.
"Our large companies have yet to show an interest in
participating in the development of sports. Only cigarette
companies have invested their money to sponsor national sports
events," Mahadi said during the closing ceremony of the national
coordinating meeting for youth affairs and sports at Sahid Jaya
Hotel in Central Jakarta.
"Sponsors will be interested in staging an event if it
involves a lot of spectators. That's why it's easier for soccer
match organizers to get sponsors than chess competition
organizers," he said with a laugh.
Mahadi said developing sports must be a community effort. "If
the community cannot solve the problems in sports development,
particularly in raising funds, then it will be the government's
responsibility to take over the problems and find the solutions.
"However, the current government also faces problems raising
funds. If the sports community needs funds from the government,
then it has to wait."
He also said his office must concentrate on promoting public
sports, including jogging and light exercise.
"Athletes performing in international events are the National
Sports Council's responsibility. Our main responsibility is to
make sports a part of the people's lives," he said.
One way to achieve this is to build multifunction sports
fields in each district, he said.
"Some districts already have the fields. However, they need
certification confirming that the fields belong to the city
administration. Otherwise, when the district's mayor or regent is
replaced, the fields can be used for their own benefit.
"If we can start this small program, I believe that in the
future sports will be a part of Indonesians' lives and we will
have no problem finding young talents," he said.
Mahadi also pointed to a dearth of gym teachers as another
obstacle to developing sports.
"The government must overcome the most basic and important
problem of a lack of gym teachers. Based on reports, Indonesia
needs more gym teachers from the elementary to high school
levels," he said. "We have held discussions with the Ministry of
National Education on how to cope with the problem."
During the ceremony, Mahadi also urged support for his
office's provincial chapters.
"If (provincial) administrations don't throw their weight
behind the chapters' programs, then we won't have any budget to
develop athletes in the provinces because the programs will be
financed by the provinces' budgets."
On the 1997 Southeast Asian Games underwriting consortium's
debt to the government, Mahadi said he preferred the case be
brought to court.
"If the consortium still has assets, I think the court can
take over the assets. They must return the money they took from
the government." (yan)