Sports community hopes Gus Dur will back sports

Sports community hopes Gus Dur will back sports

JAKARTA (JP): Sports officials and athletes are hopeful that
newly elected President Abdurrahman Wahid, a former soccer
columnist, will pay more attention to sports development than
B.J. Habibie.

National Sports Council (KONI) secretary-general Rudolf Warouw
said on Wednesday he was confident that Abdurrahman, better known
as Gus Dur, loved sports and would make an effort to improve the
economy and political situation to create a conducive environment
for sports activities to be held.

"I have read Gus Dur's columns on soccer matches and they were
quite good. I believe he is also a sports fan. I hope he will pay
more attention to our sports development and will give priority
to sports development in his Cabinet programs," he said.

"We can take an example from the Malaysian government which
had the political will to develop sports and even host Formula
One Grand Prix."

Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) secretary-general Tri
Goestoro expressed hope that the security situation in the
capital would return to normal soon to allow PSSI to stage the
sixth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).

"I know Gus Dur's concerns about sports development. A few
years ago, he was a soccer columnist in a local newspaper despite
his tight schedule as a religious leader. He can do many things
for sports development, but the most important is that he is
committed to it," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Executive chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association
(PGSI) Endro Sumardjo requested KONI submit a proposal on
training to the President.

"I'm sure Gus Dur won't neglect sports development, but KONI
should offer a good concept (on sports development) to the
government," he said.

Similar hopes were voiced by athletes and former athletes who
were interviewed shortly after the counting of the ballots
concluded on television.

Most of them said they wanted the new government to ensure
security for the regular holding of sports events.

Former national soccer player Herry Kiswanto hoped the new
government could overcome the political and economic crisis and
improve sports management.

"I hope the government will pay attention to sports
management, particularly for soccer. The government might also
make soccer reign in Asia," he said.

Soccer player Bambang Pamungkas said: "At least the police
could issue permits to stage various soccer competitions and we
could play in a safe environment."

Tennis player Liza Andriyani also shared Bambang's view.

"I hope there will be more tennis tournaments because I make
my living from competing."

Karateka Umar Syarif said: "I hope the President could better
the welfare of all the athletes. I hope Indonesia could gain a
spot in the world. Athletes can also bring honor to this
country."

Most athletes were surprised that Abdurrahman beat the
public's favorite Megawati Soekarnoputri from the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Liza, who had just returned from competing in the Indonesia
Women's Circuit 4 at the Danamon tennis complex in Kemayoran,
Central Jakarta, said: "I never expected him to win. I know Gus
Dur has health problems but I think he is very intelligent."

Herry, who apparently missed the television broadcast, said:
"I thought it was Mega (Megawati). It's very surprising."

Warouw praised the voting procedure as "democratic".

"The new President is the people's choice. The procedure was
done democratically," said the retired Army brigadier general.
(ivy)