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)