Sinambela seeks new rapport with sports officials

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela vowed on Monday to communicate with all officials of sports organizations and all parties involved in sports development as the first step in his post.

"Through communicating with the officials, we will decide which sports will be our top priorities in international events, for instance badminton and rowing," he said after his installment.

Sinambela, who is the deputy secretary-general of the Golkar Party, replaced interim minister Juwono Sudarsono. He served only 12 days after replacing Agung Laksono who was forced to resign to take up his position in the People's Consultative Assembly.

"I will cooperate with sports organizations to increase the frequency of competitions in the country. With more competitions, our athletes are expected to achieve better performances, especially internationally."

Sinambela said sports could play a great role in building the national character and unifying the country.

Sports performances must be improved with enhanced managerial skills, professional development and the use of sports science and the role of society.

Sinambela expected provincial administrations to provide sports facilities in each city and town in the country.

"The sports facilities don't have to be luxurious. They must be modest but easily accessible by the public. Our people won't be ready to support sports if they are not used to participating in sports in their regular lives," he said.

National Sports Council (KONI) vice chairman Hussein Argasasmita expressed hope that Sinambela would be able to work well with ministries and offices that support sports development.

"The minister can cooperate with the Ministry of National Education to set up the school of sports science, arranging the research and development of sports science in universities and giving KONI and sports organizations a bigger role to improve athletes' performances," said Hussein, who also serves as an official in Sinambela's office.

Indonesian Wrestling Association executive director Endro Soemardjo said the minister's office should organize fund-raising for sports.

"If the minister can work hand in hand with businesspeople to secure their commitments to develop 42 sports in the country, I believe our athletes' performances will be better than before and it has been proved in badminton and table tennis," he said.

Cigarette producer PT Djarum Kudus has shown its commitment to develop badminton while PT Gudang Garam provides sponsorship of table tennis.

Separately, Indonesian Rowing and Canoeing Association (PODSI) secretary-general Budiman Setiawan said the office of the state minister of youth affairs and sports was traditionally inconsistent in its support of sports development because of its budget concerns.

He noted that the exemption from the fiscal travel payment was not applied to all athletes but only to teams competing in multisports events.

"Even if the athletes are having tryouts abroad in preparation for a multisports event, the Ministry of Finance does not issue a policy to give them an exemption from the exit tax. I think it's the minister's job to pay attention to seemingly small matters like this," he said. (yan)