South Sumatra needs Rp 20b for 2004 PON

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)