South Sumatra needs Rp 20b for 2004 PON

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the 2004 National Games (PON) will need an estimated Rp 200 billion (US$18.3 million) to finance staging the quadrennial event in Palembang, South Sumatra.

The province's Governor, Rosihan Arsyad, said on Thursday that some of the budget would be used to renovate and construct venues.

"About Rp 115 billion of the total amount will be used to construct buildings, including a new stadium, a roller-skate arena and some other sports facilities for PON," he said on the sidelines of the doctoral degree award ceremony at Yogyakarta State University of artist Amri Yahya.

He also said that the government was currently upgrading the runway of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport.

"We are also constructing a parallel taxiway at the airport. The runway will be extended to 2,500 meters (from the current 2,200 meters) to accommodate Airbus-sized planes."

Arsyad said that so far, the provincial administration could only provide Rp 50 billion from the total budget needed.

"The rest of the budget is expected to come from South Sumatra's community."

"We are also seeking local and national companies to sponsor the event. There are some large industries in South Sumatra including a Pusri fertilizer plant, a Bukit Asam coal-processing plant, Pertamina and many others. We have yet to discuss further with them though."

Despite financial problems, Arsyad still expressed his optimism that the province would be ready to host PON and gain sponsors in the remaining time. (23)