'Tapornas' sports fund

'Tapornas' sports fund

From Pelita

The concept of Tapornas (National Sports Achievement Savings Program) as a means of raising funds from society is a good one as long as it is executed in the right way. Of course the idea should be carefully considered, taking into account both its positive and negative effects on social life, especially in view of the fact that it will involve prizes of billions of rupiah. It should be remembered that we have had many kinds lotteries in the past, including Toto Koni, Porkas, STTB, SDSB. All these fund- raising programs proved to be more harmful to society than was warranted to support the merits of sports. In fact the funds raised from those lotteries were of very little help in improving achievement in sports. And many sports branches failed to progress.

Therefore, in the case of Tapornas, it would be better if the government openly explained how the program is to work and what the procedure would be, so that the community can participate in the discussion. It is also necessary to involve ulemas, banking authorities and other scholars in studying the merits and demerits of this particular fund-raising program.

MUHAMMAD RH

Jakarta