Mohamad 'Bob' Hasan still uncontested for PASI post

Mohamad 'Bob' Hasan still uncontested for PASI post

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletic Association
(PASI) announced on Monday that its current chairman, Mohamad
"Bob" Hasan, remained the sole candidate to chair the sports
organization for the 1999-2003 term.

PASI secretary-general Barmawi Chaidir said that PASI's 26
provincial chapters were yet to nominate other figures to lead
the association.

Hasan is scheduled to deliver his accountability speech before
the congress, which will take place on Nov. 30 at the Wisma
Kalimanis in South Jakarta.

"Pak Hasan is still committed to developing track and field
issues, although he has never spoken on his willingness to chair
PASI for another term. But the next chairperson will be decided
by the congress participants. I don't know if provincial chapters
will name another candidate," Chaidir said.

Hasan, a timber tycoon who was elected as minister of trade
and industry in the former president Soeharto's short-lived
seventh Cabinet, has chaired the 49-year-old association since
1978.

Apart from his job as PASI chairman, Hasan is also chairman of
the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani), the President of
the Asian Amateur Athletic Association and the senior vice
president of the Olympic Committee of Asia.

Chaidir said PASI's chairperson must be able to raise funds to
support and develop track and field events here.

He cited the long-term training center and the Senayan track
and field stadium maintenance fee that must be regularly paid by
PASI.

"It costs us Rp 25 million (US$3,690) per month to pay the
electricity bill for the whole stadium complex, including the
PASI office. We also have to pay Rp 4 billion each year for the
maintenance.

"When we stage a national championship, we must pay for the
board and lodging for about 400 athletes from across the country.
We need a lot of money to improve athletes' achievements."

Chaidir said Hasan continued to provide financial support to
the association, despite the fact that his business interests had
been affected by the monetary crisis which has plagued the
country since mid 1997.

He said anyone who eyed PASI's top post must be consistent in
improving athletics in the country.

"If the candidate commits to chairing PASI, he or she must be
consistent. (They must not) withdraw in one or two years due to
their incapability. There should be penalty for those who fail in
their job as chairperson," Chaidir said. (ivy)