'Olympic Games only for potential winners'
'Olympic Games only for potential winners'
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto suggested yesterday that Indonesia only send athletes with strong medal winning potential to the upcoming Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said after a meeting with Soeharto yesterday that Indonesia should focus on four main sports which Indonesia could win at the Games from July 19 to Aug. 5.
"Why should we field athletes if they don't have a chance of taking medals home," Hayono quoted Soeharto as saying.
Hayono said 20 badminton players, three women's tennis players, four women's archers and a boxer are expected to represent Indonesia in the world's biggest sporting event.
Indonesia might also take part in judo, kayaking, canoeing, weightlifting, rowing, swimming, track and field, shooting and beach volleyball -- all of which the National Sports Council (KONI) deems of secondary importance.
"I don't really understand why beach volleyball is considered secondary. Our athletes notched impressive records in this sport," Hayono said.
Indonesia ended its 30-year wait for an Olympic medal in 1988 when its women's trio of archers took a silver. Four years later badminton singles players Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma each won the coveted gold.
KONI said Indonesia will only compete in four sports due to a lack of funds. The council will need at least Rp 3.4 billion (US$1.48 million) to train and send its athletes to the Olympics.
SEA Games
Hayono, who was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, also reported to Soeharto on Indonesia's preparations for hosting the 19th Southeast Asian Games next year.
Hayono said Indonesia would need a total of Rp 70 billion, half of which would be spent on organizing the biennial event and the rest on preparing the national team.
"What an amount, learning that we have to raise it in 18 months," he said.
Hayono said the government would not include the money in the 1996/1997 state budget to be announced by the President on April 1.
Indonesia was named the host after Vietnam, Brunei and Cambodia said they were not prepared.
Hayono also said that Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja refused to involve the city administration in the 19th SEA Games Organizing Committee because the city will host the 14th National Games in September this year.
"It's impossible to delay the SEA Games, even with the financial problems," Hayono said.
Indonesia's 190 million people will also hold a general election in 1997.
Soeharto asked Hayono to discuss the financial problems with Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Development Supervision Saleh Afiff and Azwar Anas.
Hayono also said that the President urged private businesses to contribute funds to the sports event.
The minister has arranged a meeting with 10 top advertising companies to discuss the Games' fund-raising program along with his own fund-raising program called Jaspora.
Indonesia has yet to set a date for the Games, but Hayono said that September or December were suitable. "But it depends on the Organizing Committee," he said. (05)