Project aims to train, educate student-athletes

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)