RI's planned bid for 2006 Asiad sparks controversy

RI's planned bid for 2006 Asiad sparks controversy

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council's (KONI) planned bid
for the 2006 Asian Games has sparked controversy among the sports
federations.

The Indonesian Tennis Association and the Indonesian Amateur
Boxing Association rejected the idea on Thursday, citing a lack
of funds as the main barrier to staging the quadrennial event.

KONI's plan did receive support from the Indonesian Fencing
Association and the Indonesian Tae kwon do Association, which
insisted that the event was worth bidding on and believed that
the government and the people would work together to make the
Games a success.

The deputy secretary-general of the tennis association, Benny
Mailili, was pessimistic that Indonesia would be capable of
raising the funds needed to host the continent's major sports
event.

"Experts predict that our economy will only recover after
2002. I don't think the government will have enough money to
stage the event four years from 2002," he said.

"In the absence of funds, KONI would have to start lobbying
the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee
Asia (OCA) as soon as possible (for financial assistance)," he
added.

Malaysia, India and the United Arab Emirates have also showed
interest in bidding for the 2006 Asiad.

The amateur boxing association's deputy secretary-general,
Didiet Soedijoto, said he was doubtful that KONI could sell the
event because the economic crisis had lowered Indonesian's buying
power.

"People here say boxing is one of their favorite sports, but
ticket sales at boxing tournaments only reach, at maximum, 30
percent of our target," he said.

"The Asiad is serious business. Can we sell a major sports
event in the situation we are now in. You know that the 19th
Southeast Asian Games underwriting consortium, a part of the
Games' organizing committee, still owes millions of rupiah to
KONI, the private sector and the government," he added.

Both Benny and Didiet agreed that Indonesia must also improve
the performance of its athletes if the country wants to host the
Asiad.

"We would have to win medals in 40 percent of the sports
contested at the event. Otherwise we would only succeed as a
host, but not as a participant," Benny said.

Another sports official, Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid, said that the
government promised to fully support the planned bid.

"What we need now is the government's support to renovate our
venues and build new ones. The President must also urge our
ambassadors to Asian countries to lobby each country's National
Olympics Committee," Ahmad, the secretary-general of the
Indonesian Tae kwon do Association, said.

Zarkasih suggested that KONI's new board of executives
establish a special bidding team which would be responsible for
drawing up a proposal of Indonesia's preparations and promotions
for the event.

"Jakarta is one of the best tourist destinations. I believe
that after the June election, we will be able to start rebuilding
the country and planning construction projects for sports
venues," he said.

The secretary-general of the fencing association, Soerjono,
said KONI must begin its six-year preparations for hosting the
Asiad.

"We should not be pessimistic. In 1962, we were able to stage
the Asiad amid a 'chaotic' political situation. The Asian Games
can give a boost to our tourist industry," he said.

"Our sports venues only need renovating. We don't have to
build another sports complex...," he added.

Meanwhile, KONI deputy chief of athletes development affairs,
Mohammad Sarengat, said that OCA usually invites all of its
member countries to hear the proposals of Asian Games bidders.

"So far, I haven't heard when OCA will hold such a meeting for
the 2006 Games. It should have taken place during the Asiad last
December," he said. (yan)