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."