Sports council pledges efficient Asiad budget use

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council pledged on Wednesday to use the funds it had raised for Indonesia's participation in the 13th Asian Games in December in a proper manner.

Council vice chairman Arie Sudewo said that efficient management of the funds would enable it to reserve some money to finance the national team's preparations for the 1999 Southeast Asian Games in Brunei Darussalam.

"We make all preparations for the Asian Games the top priority, but if we can use the money strictly we can also save money for our future programs," Arie said.

The council has amassed Rp 10.5 billion (US$1.17 million) from the government, the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers and the Gelora Senayan Management Board. The amount exceeds its budget of Rp 7.5 billion.

More money looks set to pour into the council's coffers as provincial governors whose athletes have been selected to don the national colors have promised funds. The East Java administration has promised to contribute Rp 500 million while West and Central Java will provide Rp 200 million each.

Arie did not elaborate on what efficiency measures the council would implement, but said the tight money policy would not hamper the council's target of winning six golds, 11 silvers and 13 bronze medals at the Asiad to be held in Bangkok.

Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said last week he wanted the sports body to take Rp 4.8 billion of the funds to bail out the life insurance premium promised by the 1997 SEA Games underwriting consortium to Indonesia's gold medal-winning athletes.

Wismoyo's decision came after the consortium's executive director, Bambang Yoga Soegama, begged not to pay the insurance fee. The deficit-hit consortium has promised to pay its debts amounting to more than Rp 46 billion over the next two years, starting this month.

Indonesia is to send 185 athletes and officials to the upcoming Asiad which takes place from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20.

The council official in charge of planning and budgetary affairs, Sudharno, said that the contingent's airfares would cost the council $46,250.

"We are using the national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, with a special return rate of $250 for each person," he said.

The council has yet to decide if it will fly the contingent all at once or in several batches based on the schedule of events.

"If we use military aircraft, we'll need less money because we will only have to pay the fuel expenses, landing fees and cabin crew allowances," he said.

The council will have to spend $185,000 for the contingent's board and lodging and $92,500 for their daily allowances during their two-week stay in Thailand.

Sudharno said the council would also have to reserve $50,000 for the rental of cell phones, computers and printers, airport taxes plus the sending of an advance team.

Extra money will be needed after the Asian Games finish if Indonesian athletes meet the medal-winning target.

Sudharno said the council had earmarked Rp 825 million for cash rewards for Indonesian medal winners. Gold medalists will receive Rp 50 million, Silver medalists Rp 30 million and bronze medalists Rp 15 million. (yan)