Sarwono keeps mum on bonuses

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)