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)