Political changes hurt sports bodies
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian sports are feeling the pinch of financial shortages due in part to their heavy dependence on the patronage of former president Soeharto's families and cronies, a sports executive said yesterday.
Deputy chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), Arie Sudewo, said several sports organizations had drastically cut their operational expenses, and some were in danger of collapse, in the wake of the nationwide movement targeting the former first family's web of businesses.
"It's impossible to say that we're not influenced at all (by the current political changes). Big businesses are having a difficult time, let alone sports organizations," he said.
Arie did disclose which organizations were facing bankruptcy.
Several sports organizations named former president Soeharto's children and close business associates as patrons or executives because of the influence their names commanded.
Soeharto's daughters Siti Hardijanti Rukmana and Siti Hediati Prabowo chair the national volleyball and table tennis associations respectively. Their brothers Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra have long been involved in shooting and automotive sports associations each.
Timber baron Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, one of Soeharto's closest friends, is a well-known sports enthusiast. His top post in both the national track and field and gymnastics associations gave credit to his involvement in international sports organizations such as the Asian Athletics Amateur Association and the International Olympics Committee.
Arie said yesterday he worried about the future of the financially troubled sports bodies.
"We have arranged an agenda to discuss the matter in our meeting to be held as soon as possible," he said.
"But don't get me wrong, because we don't have any particular reasons except that we are concerned about this problem. Learning from the current circumstances, it must be difficult now to raise fund for sports activities using those big names."
Arie said the financial crisis would not cancel Indonesia's participation in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December. The sports council will meet in August to decide the lineup of the national team for the Asiad. (emf)