Sarwono keeps mum on bonuses

JAKARTA (JP): In an apparent attempt to meet State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman's call not to over- publicize the bonuses of 19th SEA Games winners, Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja declined to mention bonus amounts Friday.

At a simple dinner at his house, Sarwono said: "Our nation is facing a very tough problem, I think it would be inappropriate to discuss the bonuses. Even when we don't have such a problem, we never mention the bonus amounts."

Hayono has asked sports organizations and businesspeople not to over-publicize bonuses as it might contrast with the financial problems faced by the SEA Games organizing committee before and after the event.

He also suggested the next cabinet set up a special board to control sports funding, to oversee athletes' and sports development.

Sarwono told Kompas daily that bonuses were important to athletes, but if the amount was too much it could ruin their careers.

He said a tennis player ranked 400 in the world should not receive the same bonus as a player ranked 100.

"It's not the right thing to do and it could destroy their lives," he said.

Sarwono said the national tennis team had made a high achievement.

"Nobody takes care of the athletes, finance or protect them. But they still played with a high-fighting spirit and won," he said. (yan)