More funds needed for SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): The underwriting consortium for the Southeast Asian Games next year is facing the uphill task of raising Rp 40 billion (US$17 million) to fulfill its set budget.
"We have run out of ideas on how to acquire that whopping amount," Enggartiarso Lukita, a member of the consortium, told reporters yesterday after a hearing with four foreign companies that had expressed interest in promoting the games.
"If it's not that much, we may get the money either from the board and lodging revenues or from souvenir sales," Enggartiarso said.
The consortium, led by President Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo, has planned to earmark Rp 70 billion (US$29.8 million) for the biennial sports event.
The funds exclude the Rp 1 billion to be given to the national Olympic team, which arrived in Atlanta yesterday.
Bambang -- owner of the Bimantara Group, one of the country's biggest holding companies -- and his consortium were installed in March. After only four months of work, they have raised Rp 30 billion.
The consortium also intends to collect US$15 million from co- sponsorship from local companies.
Enggartiarso promised, however, that the consortium would not lay any burdens on the government or public in overcoming the deficit.
The four foreign companies gathered yesterday were Densu and Hakuhodo Advertising of Japan, Star TV, Hong Kong Sport Communications and Alan Fresco International, a company which has been appointed the fund-raiser for the 1999 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.
Enggartiarso said that the National Sports Council will name the company to be responsible for promoting the Games after consulting with the consortium.
He reiterated yesterday that the consortium will build an athletes' village, which will require a year to be completed, if the government approves.
"The village is very necessary, because if 2,000 athletes stay in hotels, tourists won't be accommodated," he said.
Antara reported yesterday that Hanoman -- a white half-monkey knight from Ramayana mythology -- was chosen as the SEA Games mascot. Hanoman symbolizes the knight's "never-say-die" spirit. (yan)