National Games OC installed

JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar installed yesterday the 15th National Games (PON) organizing committee (OC) in Surabaya, East Java.

East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman was sworn in as the committee's chairman, with Deputy Governor Imam Soepardi named as the committee's executive chairman.

Other top officials of the committee include Cholik Muthohir as competition director, Sardjono as head of ceremonial and accommodation affairs, Col. Bambang Satriawan as head of security and transportation affairs and Hari Sisworo as public relations manager, Antara reported.

Cholik is the rector of the Surabaya Institute for Teachers' Training, while Sardjono is chief of the provincial education and culture office. Bambang is chief of the Bhaskara Jaya Military Command overseeing Surabaya and its surrounding areas, while Hari is the chief of the provincial information office.

Suparjono was chosen as the committee's secretary and will be assisted by three deputies. Soekarwo will be the committee's treasurer, assisted by Fahrul Rozi Syata.

The Games will be held in 2000, the second since 1969 to be held in the country's second largest city.

Surakarta, Central Java, hosted the inaugural Games in 1948. Its opening date of Sept. 9 was subsequently named National Sports Day.

Jakarta has hosted the last seven Games from 1973 to 1996.

Wismoyo said in his speech that Surabaya had been chosen to stage the 15th National Games because of enthusiastic aspirations and initiatives shown by the people of the province.

"The initiative actually came during the last two Games. At that time, the government did not grant the wish because it was afraid that the Games organization would cost East Java its poverty alleviation program," Wismoyo said. (lnt)