National Games to have more medal events in 1996

National Games to have more medal events in 1996

JAKARTA (JP): An extended 1996 National Games (PON) has been proposed as nine sports sought permission from the National Sports Council to make their debut at Indonesia's biggest sporting event.

"It is certain that the 14th PON next year will see more events, but we have to hold discussions with a view to agreeing on a reasonable increase," said M. Hindarto, on behalf of the National Sports Council, during a meeting with top officials of sport organizations yesterday.

Hindarto said that beach volleyball, billiards, bridge, chess, equestrian events, golf, motocross, scuba diving and roller skating had all applied for admission to the Games. "We will have announced the new events by the end of this month," said Hindarto.

KONI has thrown its weight behind the applications of those sports which might assist the development of national athletes for international events, such as the Olympic Games, the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games.

Golf and equestrian events have been chosen as new Asian Games medal events, while beach volleyball will be introduced in the 1996 Olympics.

Hindarto said that all 29 sports represented in the last PON two years ago would remain.

However, he warned that the organizers of the 14th PON would have to solve the accommodation problems caused by the increasing number of participating athletes. The committee is expecting 4,460 sportsmen and women from the country's 27 provinces to attend the National Games.

Organizing committee chairman Surjadi Soedirdja told a hearing with KONI last week that the PON would cost the organizers Rp 26.5 billion (around US$12 million). Surjadi said that the organizers had predicted a Rp 3 billion ($1.35 million) deficit. (amd)