New provinces invited to see plenary meeting

New provinces invited to see plenary meeting

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) is inviting
new provinces to observe its two-day national plenary meeting on
Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 here.

The council's spokesman Ahmed Solihin told reporters on
Wednesday that KONI's organizational department could approach
new provinces, such as North Maluku, and offer the opportunity
for their sports officials to join KONI.

"We hope that the department can invite representatives of new
provinces as observers in the plenary meeting," he said.

He said East Timor would automatically withdraw its membership
of KONI.

Ahmed said KONI's chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar would deliver
his accountability speech during the meeting, which would later
be responded to by officials from KONI's 26 provincial chapters
and sports organizations. They are also expected to give their
opinion on Wismoyo's annual working program.

"There will be discussion on KONI's financial status and this
year's working program," he said.

Ahmed said participants would elect another person to preside
over the meeting. Up until now, this position has usually been
taken by the council's chairman.

He also said that the meeting would also discuss, among other
things, the preparations for the 15th National Games (PON) which
are scheduled to take place in June.

"We hope that PON organizers, who are also invited to attend
the meeting, can report on their final preparations," he said.

The meeting will also discuss the hosts for the 16th Games in
2004. Four provinces -- South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Central
Java and West Java -- have confirmed they are bidding for the
position.

The meeting will be closed with a small party to celebrate the
council's 34th anniversary. (ivy)