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