Sarwono replace Cosmas as Pelti's chairman

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja was unanimously elected as president of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) for the 1994-1998 period over Cosmas Batubara on Saturday.

On Saturday's closing day of Pelti's national congress in Grand Bali Beach, Sanur, Bali, participants had only Sarwono's name on their ballots.

Sarwono said in the opening session earlier on Friday that he would have no time to work for Pelti due to his position as a minister. He had just arrived from an official trip to Thailand before attending the closing ceremony.

"At first I refused the appointment, but this is what my friends want me to do. They really begged me. Besides, I love tennis," he said, adding that he will now have to arrange his time carefully to be fully involved in Pelti's activities.

As an elected president, Sarwono, 51, was given a month to pick two other nominees to fill up Pelti's chairmanship board. The congress institutes that a team of three will lead Pelti into the next season.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., was earlier among the nominees but then withdrew from the race for undisclosed reasons.

"I'm not supposed to reveal the members of Pelti's chairmanship board so soon and must first consult with other parties. I have 30 days to think about it," he said, adding that he plans to choose people who are able to work cooperatively and willingly.

Sarwono also pledged to adjust several unnoticed aspects of the organization, beginning by giving more attention to local chapters.

"I will create precise organization. Pelti has to include two key components, policy makers and executives," he said, adding that the new chairmanship will be a solid team which utilizes funds as a supporting element.

Outgoing Pelti boss Cosmas was quoted by Antara news agency as saying that Pelti would get better under Sarwono's leadership.

"Sarwono is the right person. He knows everything as he has joined Pelti within the last three periods," he said, hoping that Pelti would increase the number of tournaments and keep support from business circle.(icn)