Special task force set up to campaign for 2006 Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) appointed Arie Sudewo to chair a special team set up to campaign for Indonesia's bid to host the 2006 Asian Games.

Ahmed Solihin, public relations spokesman for KONI, said Tuesday the team would arrange a proposal to be presented to government officials and members of the House of Representatives to garner official support.

"The proposal must be completed by the end of this month. In the next two weeks, we will invite non-governmental organizations to popularize the idea and get support," he said after the meeting to set up the task force.

Ahmed said that Arie would be assisted by KONI's chief of foreign affairs, Indra Kartasasmita, and deputy secretary-general Husein Argasasmita.

"Members of the task force will include officials from KONI's planning and budget, media and promotion and athlete development divisions," he said.

"It also involves officials from the Gelora Senayan Executive Directors to prepare the venues and other facilities, Jakarta administration as the host, and officials from the State Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports."

Ahmed said the proposal would present KONI's goals and obstacles which might come up during the bidding process.

"It's really important to promote the program throughout the country. We'll figure out how to campaign internationally by publishing booklets on our bid, among other things."

"We'll also ask our diplomats abroad to intensify their lobbying to gain support from other countries, despite our uncertainty of winning the bid."

Ahmed declined to mention the budget needed for the campaign, saying KONI would provide the funds itself.

KONI aims to host the 2006 Asian Games and to finish sixth at the quadrennial event through a long-term training program, known as the Golden Garuda.

The Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) says each bidding country must submit its proposal and an application fee of US$10,000. The host country is required to hand over another $190,000 within three months of the announcement.

KONI sent a letter of intent to submit a bid for Indonesia. It will also send officials to attend OCA's general assembly in Kuwait in November to fill out a bid application. The successful candidate is scheduled to be announced early next year.

Ahmed said Indonesia would offer to feature martial art pencak silat as an exhibition event in the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea. Indonesia will also appeal to OCA to officially feature the sport in the 2006 games.

A sport must have a minimum of 16 competing countries for it to be an official Asian Games event. So far, only 13 countries sent their athletes to compete in pencak silat international events. (ivy)