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)