Sports body needs more funds for Atlanta Olympic Games

Sports body needs more funds for Atlanta Olympic Games

JAKARTA (JP): With just five weeks left, the National Sports
Council needs another Rp 1.5 billion (US$638,300) to finance the
preparations for the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Fritz E. Simanjuntak, the council's deputy official, in charge
of planning and budget affairs, said in a financial aid
presentation at Citibank yesterday that the preparations for the
Summer Games will cost the council Rp 5.2 billion.

Citibank has donated Rp 1.6 billion and the council has
between Rp 2 and 3 billion left over from its budget for the last
Southeast Asian Games.

"About 60 percent of the funds go towards the national
training program and overseas stints, while the rest will be used
for the accommodation of athletes during the Games," Fritz said.

Eighteen of the 97 athletes originally listed have dropped out
after four months of training. In mid-June, the council is
expected to announce the Olympic team, which will enter
competition in 18 sports.

Fritz said that the council has decided not to tap the Rp 10
billion provided by the 1997 Southeast Asian Games consortium for
sports development to cover the deficit.

The consortium, led by Bimantara Group owner and President
Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo, donated the money to the
council in exchange for the rights to SEA Games marketing.
Indonesia will host the Games around October next year.

Citibank yesterday handed over Rp 71,450,000 to council
chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar. The money was raised from credit
card holders who bought 7,300 special Olympic edition pins.

Farid Aidid, Citibank Asia-Pacific Vice President, said that
he had discussed another fund raising idea with Wismoyo: selling
merchandise with the logo of the sports council, not the Olympic
logo, thus avoiding royalty payments to the IOC. (yan)