Record breakers await bonuses

JAKARTA (JP): At the request of East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman, the 14th National Games organizing committee will hand out the cash bonuses provided by local businesses for all athletes that broke records during the sporting event.

Basofi told reporters in Surabaya yesterday that the committee has yet to decide the place and date of the presentation.

"Everything is up to the committee. The names of the athletes and their records are with the committee, not us," Basofi was quoted by Antara as saying.

Prior to the event, a group of East Javanese businesspeople promised to grant each national record breaker Rp 5 million (US$2,146) in cash. They also promised every Southeast Asian Games record breaker Rp 7.5 million, Asian record beaters Rp 10 million and Rp 15 million for any athlete able to set a new Olympic record.

Basofi said upon returning home to Surabaya from the event in Jakarta last week that the cash rewards might be given during last Thursday's get-together celebration held by the East Javanese team. However, the committee has not submitted its list and no bonuses were presented.

During the Sept. 9 to Sept. 21 National Games, 126 meet records as well as 72 national and 30 Asian records were broken.

Basofi said that the local businesspeople are likely to have to provide around Rp 500 million in prize money.

During Thursday's celebration, the governor confirmed the government's support for the province to host the National Games in 2000.

"Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas has reported East Java's bid to President Soeharto, and the President gave his approval provided that it would not affect development in the province," said Basofi, who was deputy governor of Jakarta before being elected governor of East Java in 1993.

Azwar officially closed the National Games last Friday on behalf of the government.

Basofi asked all the people of East Java to stand behind him in order to win the bid. The quadrennial sporting event has been held in Jakarta since 1973.

"I am certain the Games campaign will be successful here without any reservations," said Basofi. (amd)