More funds needed for SEA Games

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)