Minister says public must aid sports drive
Minister says public must aid sports drive
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
Mahadi Sinambela called on the public on Thursday to help make up
for a cut in funds for sports development in the proposed 2000
budget.
Sinambela was commenting on the draft budget announced by the
government on Thursday morning. In the proposed budget, funding
for sports development is cut from Rp 60.73 billion (US$8.32
million) in last year's budget to Rp 23.87 billion.
"The government has set a priority of focusing attention on
improving the economic situation in the country and reducing the
budget in other sectors. Due to this situation, businesspeople
and the sports community are expected to give a hand and support
national sports development programs.
"Some larger sports still receive sponsorships to hold
national championships, including soccer, basketball, badminton
and boxing," he said.
Sinambela said he asked President Abdurrahman Wahid to set
aside some of the tax revenue collected from large businesses and
industries, particularly the cigarette industry, to fund sports
development programs. However, the President said this matter
should be further discussed with Coordinating Minister for the
Economy and Industry Kwik Kian Gie," he said.
Sinambela said national athletes desperately needed funds to
begin their centralized training program by Feb. 1 for the
Olympic Games in Sydney in September.
"National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar has
sent another letter to the state secretary, in his capacity as
chairman of the Gelora Senayan Management Board, asking them to
disburse Rp 2 billion in funds to hold the training," he said.
Sinambela said the President approved on Wednesday plans to
provide Rp 4.9 billion to finance the country's Olympic
contingent.
He also said he brought to the President's attention the lack
of funds to stage the 15th National Games (PON) scheduled to be
held in Surabaya in June.
"I asked the President (for the Rp 4.9 billion) and he agreed.
Hopefully, we will receive the money soon. As for PON, he asked
me to discuss that with Pak Kwik," he said.
The National Sports Council has said it requires Rp 6.9
billion for the centralized training program and to send athletes
overseas for additional training and competition as part of its
efforts to bring home gold medals from the Olympics. (yan)