State firms to lend a hand for Asiad
State firms to lend a hand for Asiad
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Empowerment of State
Enterprises Tanri Abeng pledged yesterday that state enterprises
would provide financial assistance to the National Sports Council
to send its squad to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.
"I still can't mention the figure," Tanri said on Friday while
watching a tennis championships in commemoration of Indonesia's
53rd independence anniversary at the Senayan tennis complex. He
was accompanied by State Minister of Housing and Settlement Theo
L. Sambuaga, Attorney General Andi Ghalib and Minister of
Information Muhammad Yunus Yosfiah.
The council needs about Rp 7 billion (US$538,500) to train
athletes for the Asiad and to cover transportation and
accommodation expenses during the quadrennial event.
The council has received Rp 5.2 billion from the National
Development Planning Board, and is seeking other sources to make
up the shortfall. The Rp 5.2 billion is divided between Rp 3.5
billion for training expenses and the rest for the contingent.
The amount would only be enough to send 82 athletes and
officials.
Tanri, who is also a special advisor to the council, urged the
public to be more aware of sports development because it was
impossible to expect financial help from the government and
businesspeople during the monetary crisis.
Antara news agency reported that Theo, who is also the vice
chairman of the Gelora Senayan Management Board, said he would
study the council's proposal for financial assistance for the
Asiad.
Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar and State Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono have urged the Gelora
Senayan executive directors to hand over the Senayan sports
complex management to either of them.
The board consists of the Minister/State Secretary as the ex-
officio chairperson of the board, with the state minister of
housing and settlement, the state minister of youth affairs and
sports, minister of public works, the chairman of the National
Sports Council, the Jakarta governor and the Jakarta Military
commander serving as ex-officio members. (yan)