Megawati to inaugurate National Games in June
Megawati to inaugurate National Games in June
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has appointed Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to inaugurate the 15th National
Games (PON) in Surabaya on June 19, State Minister of Youth
Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela said on Tuesday.
Mahadi said that Abdurrahman is scheduled to close the
quadrennial event on June 30.
"The inauguration of PON by Ibu Megawati is a break from
earlier tradition when the President lead the opening ceremony,"
he said after meeting Abdurrahman at Merdeka Palace. Chairman of
the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar, chief of
the PON organizing committee Imam Oetomo and committee secretary
Eddy Indrayana also attended the meeting.
Abdurrahman will be on an overseas trip to the United States,
Egypt and Russia when the opening ceremony takes place. He will
return on June 23.
Mahadi also said that Abdurrahman insisted that his trip would
not affect the event and suggested that PON be staged on
schedule.
"The most important thing is that PON go on smoothly. We
considered efficiency and effectiveness, and we don't want to
prolong the debate on who should open and close the event," he
said.
Imam said that the announcement would reduce anxiety of all
contingents who had booked hotels and flights.
He said that the sports event, staged in 10 cities in East
Java, will cost Rp 61 billion (US$7.6 million), with funds
allocated from East Java provincial revenue (Rp 35 billion) for
four consecutive years and from state revenue (Rp 10 billion).
The remaining Rp 5 billion will come from sponsors and
contributions from contingents.
"The preparation so far is good and we have no financial
problem," said Imam, who is also East Java Governor.
Eddy said that KONI officials would travel to Surabaya to
inspect the preparations. He said that the dress rehearsal would
take place from June 10 to June 12.
"We will make the closing ceremony full of festivity. We have
asked noted contemporary choreographer Bagong Kussudiardja to
help us. We are still discussing the program for the closing
ceremony," he said on Tuesday. (ivy)