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)