Soeharto agrees SEA Games funds from Brunei
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has agreed to ask for funds for the 19th SEA Games to be held here next October from Brunei Darussalam, the biennial Games' original host.
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman told House Commission IX for religion, education and sports yesterday that the request for funds from Brunei for the Jakarta Games was due to local difficulties in obtaining the required money.
"Since time is running short, Soeharto agreed to ask for help from Brunei for funds for the Games," Hayono was quoted by Antara as saying.
Hayono said he will hold talks with his counterpart in Brunei regarding the money. "We shall leave the matter with Brunei as to the amount of money they will provide. The most important thing is that there should be solidarity among the ASEAN member countries."
Hayono added that Soeharto has discussed the matter with his daughter, Mrs. Siti Hardianti Rukmana, as she has close links with the north Borneo kingdom.
According to Hayono, his ministry is waiting for a reply from the government regarding his office's request for Rp 3.4 billion (US$1.4 million) needed by KONI for the SEA Games.
"We are waiting for an answer from the National Development Board to our proposal regarding the Rp 3.4 billion to be distributed to the 34 sport organizers. Each organizer will receive Rp 100 million," Hayono said.
During the hearing with Commission IX, Hayono was accompanied by officials from KONI including Deputy Chairman Arie Sudewo and Enggartiasto, a representative of the Games underwriting consortium.
Hayono said the forthcoming SEA Games will become the gauge for sports development in the country. "Indonesia's main task is not only a successful SEA Games but also to defend its title as the overall champion."
School holidays
He said to make the coming Jakarta Games a success, his ministry has contacted the Ministry of Education and Culture to organize a school holiday for the eight-day event from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19. The education minister has agreed to the request, Hayono said.
"We have even discussed with the consortium, at the latest of March next year, that it should provide tourism and sports packages for people in the regions to see the Games," Hayono said.
But, Hayono said, the main obstacle still faced by the ministry is finding the money to stage the Jakarta Games.
He received a report that only Rp 60 billion ($25 million) has been collected from sponsors, both local and foreign while the budget required is Rp 95 billion.
"To compensate for the shortfall, I have agreed that funds can be obtained from the community through the sale of stickers. The funds will also be realized through the sale of airline tickets and through the payment of electricity and telephone bills. What is important is the participation of the community," Hayono said.
Meanwhile, Arie told the legislatures there are 1,250 athletes undergoing training, of which 790 will be selected.
Arie said of the 34 sports being prepared for the Jakarta Games, 14 organizations have already started training while the others will begin on Jan. 1. "For soccer, the athletes' training will be held in July," he said.
As for the funds, Arie said there was no final decision yet as to the exact budget. "The consortium has forwarded Rp 60 billion for organizing the Games and Rp 35 billion for funding training centers. We are still clarifying things as the budget could fluctuate." (lnt)