Membership cards launched to help former athletes
JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to improve former athletes' lives, the Prestasi Anak Bangsa Foundation through its business unit PT WAOW Bina Prestasi will launch WAOW membership cards on Saturday evening at the Mulia Hotel in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
The company's president Sutisnawan expressed hope of admitting some 350 members at the launching ceremony.
"The membership card is one of our seven businesses under the trademark of WAOW (Wahana Atlit Olahraga Wirasakti). But currently our priority is to develop the cards which will be very useful to draw other business," Sutisnawan told The Jakarta Post at his office on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.
"Our six other businesses are merchandising, organising sports events, sports facilities, media and information, services, and education and training."
The services business is to provide employment for former athletes with a low educational background while education and training is to provide additional skills for them.
"Once we have provided former athletes with new skills, we will seek jobs for them. We'll sort them by age, educational background, their financial condition and skills," Sutisnawan said.
"We can turn them into cleaning service workers, car mechanics or computer operators."
Founded with initial capital of less than Rp1 billion (US$105,000), the company is expecting to attract 17,000 members in its first year of operation.
"The more members we get, the more donations are made through the foundation. All profits will go to the foundation," said Sutisnawan, who is also the foundation's secretary general.
"The foundation will then channel funds into several activities. The company's duty is to only make a profit for the foundation."
He said collected funds would be divided between sports- related and non-sporting activities.
"In sports-related activities, we will help those former athletes' lives with considerable achievements. We'll also use funds to help sports clubs develop athletes and organize sports tournaments to boost competitiveness among athletes.
In non-sporting activities, the foundation will provide a bonus for those who have attained outstanding achievements.
"We will, for example, reward those who have made scientific achievements or the like. Some of them come from less fortunate backgrounds," he said.
"The fund will also be used for education and training activities and to provide a social fund to help natural disaster victims."
Sutisnawan said with an annual fee of Rp 1 million, WAOW card members will get discounts and special treatment in several outlets, such as cafes, fitness clubs, hotels, and laboratories.
"We apply an exclusive membership policy where a new member recommends three potential members. This way we can increase our members," he said.
"If any of the potentials decide to become a member, we'll donate 45 percent of his or her annual fee under the name of the member who gave the recommendation." (nvn)