S. Sumatra, C. Java top PON host bidding

JAKARTA (JP): South Sumatra and Central Java won the 2004 National Games (PON) bidding on Wednesday in an open election at the National Sports Council (KONI) plenary meeting commission 2 on organization.

South Sumatra won with 33 votes, followed by Central Java with 23, North Sumatra with four and West Java with only one vote.

Oyong Kramayudha, the commission's adviser, said after the balloting that the results would be recommended to the government and KONI would wait for the government's choice.

"Although South Sumatra won the ballot, it will not definitely host the next PON. The government may decide differently based on security, politics and facilities," he said.

Oyong said the results have fulfilled the expectations of state minister of youth affairs and sports, Mahadi Sinambela, and sports community to host PON outside of Java.

"By staging the event in either Palembang, South Sumatra, or Semarang, Central Java, all provinces still can afford to send their contingents."

Vice chairman of KONI South Sumatra chapter, HM Zikri Kisai, said after the election that he was satisfied with the result.

"We are glad that we were given responsibility to host PON and we'll do it the best we can. This is a challenge for provinces outside Java, if we are able to host PON," he said.

Zikri said South Sumatra has spent Rp 3.5 billion (US$486,100) for the bidding.

"We allocated Rp 135 billion to host PON in 2004 with funding mostly from the provincial budget. We will host the event in Palembang and Bangka. South Sumatra has started to renovate sports facilities from last year and we have tested some venues to host national championships," he said.

Separately, chairman of KONI Central Java chapter, Djoko Sudantoko, said that he was pleased with the election as it had gone through a democratic system.

"Whatever the result, we have to accept it. However, Central Java still hopes to have a second chance should the government choose another location," he said.

Djoko declined to attempt persuading KONI and the government to name Central Java as the next host.

"We can't achievement our goals by lobbying but by training hard. We worked hard preparing the bid. Even if we lose, we have tried. The funds we have collected to host the event will be allocated to grooming young athletes toward higher achievement in the next PON," he said.

Central Java will allocate Rp 106 billion should it host the event. About Rp 50 billion will come from the provincial budget while the rest is expected from the government and business sponsorships. (yan)