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)