Political changes hurt sports bodies

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)