Next KONI chief can expect a rough ride

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The next chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) faces a tough task given the state of Indonesian sport and public demand for improvement, a sports observer says.

"The KONI chairman must be familiar with the lingering problems ... and be capable of finding the solutions as well," Ferdinand Mangombar Siregar said in Jakarta on Thursday.

He was commenting on KONI deputy chairman Arie Sudewo applying for KONI's top job, which is expected to be filled during the council's national congress next month.

"A chairman must also be accommodative and able to work together, not only with his aides in KONI, but also with sports organizations under its supervision," said Siregar, also an official with Indonesian Badminton Association, one of the few Indonesian sports organizations to experience success.

Incumbent chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar is stepping down from the position he has held since 1993.

Towards the end of his tenure, Indonesia's sports performances have been dismal, as highlighted by poor showings at the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 2002 Asian Games.

Siregar said Indonesia needed at least eight years to recover.

He said KONI and other sports bodies should review the quarterly National Sports Championship, known locally as PON.

"Winning medals seems to be the only aim of the participating provinces. Some provinces will lure good athletes to compete under their flags with promises of good remuneration packages. Athletes are bought not developed," he said.

"That should change. PON should serve as part of the regeneration efforts. Participants' achievements shouldn't lie on how many gold medals their athletes can collect but on how their athletes can improve their performances," he said.

Indonesian Sports Scholars (ISORI) chairman Cholik Mutohir said it would not be easy changing PON, but pledged to raise the issue at the congress.

"We must try. We will raise the issue during the congress," he said. The congress will be held from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27.

On the other hand, Toho, who is also the sports director- general at the Ministry of National Education, appealed to the media to be more devoted to domestic sports coverage.

"Local publications tend to spare more space for foreign issues that for those of local. How can we make progress if promotional campaigns hit snags?" he asked.