Official says no ifs about Indonesia competing in Asiad
Official says no ifs about Indonesia competing in Asiad
JAKARTA (JP): Cash-strapped Indonesia must take part in the
13th Asian Games in Bangkok next December at all costs, a sports
official said yesterday.
The Indonesian Sports Council's deputy chairman, Arie Sudewo,
stressed the country's participation in the continental event
would contribute to upholding Asian solidarity.
He compared Indonesia's determination to the spirit that
inspired the country to stage its first National Games in
Surakarta, Central Java, 50 years ago. The republic was only
three years old at the time.
"We were a newly founded country but we had already managed to
organize a national sporting event despite very limited funds and
facilities. We did it for the sake of our unity," Arie said.
He regretted most local media coverage which he said had
discouraged preparations by either athletes or sport bodies for
the Asiad.
Arie believed the national team would raise enough funds in
time.
"I know there are still many Indonesians who are concerned
about sports development in their beloved country. They are
willing to help us."
The council official in charge of athletes' development,
Muhammad Hindarto, disclosed last week that the National
Development Planning Board would cut 20 percent of the Rp 3
billion (US$200,000 at today's exchange rate of Rp 15,000)
subsidy for the council due to the country's economic troubles.
The fund was supposed to cover the last three months of Asian
Games' centralized training sessions between October and
December.
Indonesia's preparations for the Asiad have been estimated to
cost at least Rp 15 billion, including Rp 3.5 billion allocated
for the contingent's board and lodging during the Games.
The country had planned to send a 165-strong team of athletes
from 21 sports to Asiad. They had been expected to fly on
military aircraft but the plan now appears in the balance because
the Armed Forces has complained about financial troubles.
Indonesia fielded 151 athletes in the Asiad in Hiroshima,
Japan.
Arie said the size of the Indonesian team was tentative,
adding that it would depend solely on the sports bodies which
were now conducting the training sessions.
"They (the sport bodies) know their athletes better than me.
We'd rather let them concentrate on the training, instead of
disheartening them with financial woes."
The council will announce the first picks for the Asian Games
in August after studying progress reports of the athletes
submitted by the sports bodies. (emf)