PON organizers not expecting subsidies
PON organizers not expecting subsidies
JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the 15th National Games (PON) in
Surabaya, East Java will fund the event through partnerships with
local business and do not expect government subsidies, chairman
of the games organizing committee Basofi Sudirman said yesterday.
Basofi told a hearing with National Sports Council officials
yesterday that people in the province would work together to make
the games a success.
"We're ready to hold the event, even without subsidies from
the government or the sports council. We are proud of having good
and complete sports facilities and an enthusiastic private
sector," Basofi said.
He emphasized that the organizers would not sell stickers to
raise funds, despite the fact that they face a shortfall of Rp 10
billion (US$1 million) in the budget required to host the
quadrennial event.
"We don't want to place a further burden on the people because
they have already donated money for the games," Basofi said. A
total of Rp 35 billion from three annual provincial budgets,
beginning in 1997/1998, has been diverted to fund the games.
"The provincial budget comes from public money, so we don't
want them to pay even more for the Games," he said, adding that
public attendance and support for the competition would be
enough.
The Games, to be held from Sept. 4 to Sept. 16, 2000, is
expected to cost the province Rp 45 billion. Twenty eight sports
will feature in what is the first national games to be held
outside Jakarta since 1969. The event that year was also held in
Surabaya.
Basofi said he was optimistic that the shortfall in funds
could be overcome through private sector sponsorship.
"We started promoting the event three years ago and
enthusiastic companies have now begun to approach us with
proposals," he said.
No official response has been given to the proposals because,
although personnel have been selected, the games organizing
committee has yet to be inaugurated.
Basofi said he would not repeat the mistakes committed by
organizers of the 19th SEA Games in Jakarta last October.
"The need for well organization and clear contracts with the
private sector are the lessons we can learn from the SEA Games,"
he said.
"We enjoyed that extravaganza but only heard prolonged
wrangling over financial matters in the aftermath. The event
itself is now long forgotten," he added. (emf)