Pros and cons of S. Sumatra preparation for 2004 PON

Pros and cons of S. Sumatra preparation for 2004 PON

By Bahrul Ilmi Yakup

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): When South Sumatra was
appointed in February last year to host the 2004 National Games
(PON), the sports community was enthusiastic about the decision,
saying it could boost sports development and the construction of
sports facilities in the provinces.

For the last 30 years PON has always been held in Java,
meaning the development of sports and sports facilities in the
other provinces has been left far behind.

However, South Sumatra's victorious bid for PON was also met
with criticism.

"We still have about 2.4 million people living beneath the
poverty line, with public facilities including roads that are
badly damaged. Why don't you make these problems the priority?" a
participant of an April seminar on South Sumatra's preparations
for PON asked Governor Rosihan Arsyad.

But the criticism did not deter Arsyad from continuing with
his ambitious plan to stage the Games, which are estimated to
cost about Rp 200 billion (US$17.5 million).

"We still have a lot of time to prepare everything to make the
16th PON a great success," Arsyad said during the seminar. "All
indications say South Sumatra will be a good host."

Arsyad, who is also the chairman of the South Sumatra chapter
of the National Sports Council (KONI), has ordered the renovation
of some sports venues and the construction of new sports centers
in Jakabaring, Seberang Ulu regency. These steps were positively
received by members of the province's legislative council.

Some people assume that Arsyad will use PON as a main talking
point in his campaign for a second term.

"I think Arsyad will use PON as his main achievement when
campaigning for a second term, because in other areas he has
failed to perform well. Perhaps, he will use PON as a stepping
stone for a ministerial post," another seminar participant,
Anwar, said.

But Arsyad denies such talk. "No, I have no ambition to be a
minister. In fact, I'm ready to resign from my current post any
time," he said. "I only want to see South Sumatra host PON
successfully, nothing else."

Local newspaper Sriwijaya Post ran the results of a poll on
April 26 showing 76.9 percent of 208 respondents were optimistic
that South Sumatra would successfully stage the Games.

Concerning the province's sports facilities, 68.3 percent of
respondents believed the local administration would be able to
build appropriate venues for PON.

Abandoned

South Sumatra experienced its heyday in sports back in the
1970s. Now, after nearly 30 years of neglect, sports facilities
in the province were in critical condition, with one stadium
having even become home to squatters.

The head of the stadium, Noviarman Kailani, told The Jakarta
Post that he would soon ask the squatters to vacate the stadium.

The person in charge of organizing the automotive events for
PON, Helmy Sungkar, who recently visited Palembang, believes
South Sumatra still lacks the supporting facilities needed to
stage such a huge event as PON.

"South Sumatra has a lot of potential to host sports events,
but it must be supported by the appropriate facilities. The
province must improve its airport, hotels and workshops for
automotive sports," Helmy said.

One of the biggest surprises in South Sumatra is not the
condition of the sports facilities, but the situation of the
athletes in the province.

"We are only needed prior to national sports events.
Otherwise, we get no attention," said Faisal Perdana, a former
athlete for South Sumatra.

He also asked if the province had ever produced its own
athletes. Faisal was referring to poaching athletes from other
regions, a practice that takes place prior to the PON as the
provinces attempt to fill out their squads with top athletes.

Athletes poaching

But Arsyad ensured South Sumatrans that he would not tolerate
such practices.

"I appeal to all provinces to stop poaching athletes because
the practice negatively impacts their future."

KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar threw his weight behind the
governor's appeal.

"I totally agree that the practice of poaching athletes must
stop. I will even try to include a ban in the new sports bill,"
he said.

Things are easier said than done. Using cliche reasons like
"looking for a job" or "following their parents", some national
athletes have shown an interest in moving to South Sumatra,
assuming the host will offer them a big bonus if they succeed at
the Games.

Swimmers Felix and Albert Susanto of Jakarta and West Java
judoka Kresna Bayu have hinted that they will move to the
province.

South Sumatra's target of finishing fifth in the overall
standings at PON has also caused concern about the poaching of
athletes.

But Taufiqurachman, KONI's South Sumatra chapter deputy
chairman, was adamant that the province would not poach any
athletes to reach its target.

"They (athletes) choose to move here. We're not poaching
athletes."