'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)