Soeharto calls for devotion in sports

Soeharto calls for devotion in sports

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto inducted the new board
members of the National Sports Council (KONI) together with the
sports body's special members at the State Palace yesterday.

This is the first time that KONI, since its establishment on
Dec. 31, 1966, has had its officials installed by the president.

"The installment indicates that the president earnestly cares
for the nation's sports performance. This motivates us greatly to
do our best," KONI's chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said.

President Soeharto said in his speech that the time has now
come to speak of sports performance, given that Indonesia has
achieved impressive economic development.

Hence, Soeharto stated, the new leadership board must improve
professionalism and keep up with any development in sport.
"Without seriousness and devotion, we will not achieve better
performances in sport," Soeharto said. The former board members
had little time for KONI due to their tight schedules.

The president also warned the new board to avoid spending
money carelessly, especially on programs which have little or
nothing to do with the improvement of national sports
performance. "KONI must not neglect talent scouting and
improvement in athletes' nutrition," he added.

The leadership board members were elected on Feb. 22, about
one month after the end of KONI's seventh national congress in
Jakarta. They consist of 39 top officials, including KONI's
chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.

KONI's special members include four officials in charge of
auditing KONI's accounts and a group of 63 prominent
businesspeople and business experts called special staff.
Coordinated by tycoon Sudwikatmono, the special staff have the
task of raising funds to finance KONI's activities.

Among special staff members inducted by the President are
Soedono Salim, the second largest individual tax payer in 1993,
property tycoon Ciputra, paper baron Eka Tjipta Widjaja and
prominent management consultant Tanri Abeng.

Tanri told reporters that the new board is now discussing ways
on how KONI can raise cash from businesspeople and how the
businesspeople can reap benefits from the funds they provide to
KONI.

Tanri suggested that KONI could earn money by acting as a
financial arranger by bringing together businesspeople in need of
loans with businesspeople who have capital to invest.

Another money earner could be a partnership agreement, Tanri
said. For instance, in return of Eka Tjipta's donation, KONI
should develop ways which enable Eka to have a positive image in
the public as a businessman who cares for the social environment
which is directly affected by his business. (arf)

Line up of KONI's newly installed board:
Chairman: Wismoyo Arismunandar
First Deputy : Arie Soedewo
Second Deputy: Rahardi Ramelan
Third Deputy: A.M. Hendropriyono
Fourth Deputy: Moh. Hasan
Secretary-general: R.S. Warouw
Organizational affairs: Putra Astaman
Athletes' development: M. Hindarto
R&D: Indra Djati Sidi.
Foreign affairs: Harsuki
Budget and planning: Togi Hutagaol
Deputy Treasurer: Setia Novanto