Special task force set up to campaign for 2006 Asiad

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)