Public sports centers in poor condition

JAKARTA: People in West Jakarta apparently prefer private sector sports centers to the ones provided by the city as the equipment in public sports centers is generally in poor shape.

The sound system at the Cengkareng district public sports center, for example, is barely audible, said residents. In addition, its lighting system, essential for badminton and volley ball games, is seriously inadequate.

West Jakarta sports and youth agency director Wilbertus Sihotang said on Tuesday that his agency could do nothing as the management of sports centers was the direct responsibility of the city administration.

"I can only report of the situation, but any decisions depend on the city administration," he said as quoted by the city's official news portal beritajakarta.com.

There are seven public sports centers, which are unevenly distributed, in West Jakarta's eight districts. One district has two centers, while Tamansari and Tambora districts have none. -- JP