Project aims to train, educate student-athletes
JAKARTA (JP): The government and the National Sports Council (KONI) will discuss the possibility of sports training for talented elementary and secondary school students which will be designed not to disrupt their education.
Director General of Elementary and Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Indra Djati Sidi, said the forum would involve officials from his office, the office of the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and KONI.
The project, he said, was aimed at preparing junior athletes to replace their seniors in regional and international sports events such as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.
"We will set up a forum to talk about how to enhance the sports and health studies in classes. The lesson also will serve as education and exercise. Sports organization could observe talented athletes through the project," he said after the meeting at KONI's office on Thursday.
Indra, who is also KONI's deputy chairman, said that his office would approach administrations of high schools, universities, colleges and state enterprises to lend their support to the program.
"We will also seek cooperation with universities, colleges and state enterprises so they can assist the athletes, through scholarships or a stipend," he said.
He said Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono was expected to issue a decree this week to realize the plan.
Indra also said that the Directorate General for Extracurricular Education, Youth and Sport, which is also under the education and culture ministry, would encourage clubs across the nation to send their talented athletes to study at state-run centers of training and study (PPLP).
"The directorate general supervises the clubs. If the athletes are enthusiastic about continuing their studies and are capable enough, they can attend the PPLP," he said.
Quality
Indra said that the council would improve the quality of national coaches by opening classes to train them.
He promised that the students would not have to leave school to attend the training program, which happened with students enrolled in the Ragunan Sports School.
"The classes will be adjusted to their sport activities. It may start at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and continue with night classes, while the training begins at 5 a.m. until 7 a.m. and the evening programs are usually between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.," he said.
KONI finally fulfilled its pledge to present the conclusion of a meeting last week to evaluate Indonesia's poor showing in the SEA Games in August.
The special task force, which was headed by Indra, concluded that three months of training was not enough to improve their physical skills. He also said that the government should give financial support without delay.
KONI also presented bonuses to gold, silver and bronze medalists. Among those honored for their achievements were 10 newcomers -- Endang Trimurti W., Fitria Mega S. and Merani Mega S. (karate), Permata Kemalasari, Heni Marhendrawati and Widya Astuti, and Hermi Setya Wati and Siti Sugiharti (pencak silat), Irene Truitje Yoseph (women's 100m) and Sukraj Singh (shot put).
Gold medalists received Rp 25 million (US$3,289), silver medalists Rp 2 million and bronze medalists Rp 1 million. Coaches of gold-medal-winning athletes earned Rp 5 million.
Young athletes who won gold medals for the first time received Rp 5 million in cash and Rp 20 million in a life insurance policy. Veteran athletes holding insurance policies received the total award in cash. (ivy)