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)