Sinambela seeks new rapport with sports officials
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)