Telkomsel provides Rp 500m for RI SEA Games squad

Telkomsel provides Rp 500m for RI SEA Games squad

JAKARTA (JP): Cellular operator Telkomsel signed a memorandum
of understanding with the National Sports Council (KONI) on the
state-owned company's deal to provide Rp 500 million (US$44,250)
in cash for Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad.

The memorandum was signed by KONI chairman Wismoyo
Arismunandar and Telkomsel president Mulia Tambunan on Monday to
seal the financial pledge.

"Telkomsel has proven that Indonesian business enterprises are
still strongly committed to supporting the country's dignity
through sports events despite the ongoing crisis," Wismoyo said
in a prepared speech.

"I hope that Telkomsel and other companies will not only
provide support for occasional events but also more in a
permanent way. Next year we will face the 2002 Pusan Asian Games,
which will also require financial support from the private
sector."

So far, KONI has collected Rp 28.5 billion of the Rp 48.6
billion needed for its final preparation for the Sept. 8 to Sept.
17 Games.

Tambunan said Telkomsel opted to provide financial support as
KONI desperately needed cash to finance its contingent to Kuala
Lumpur.

"We'll also help promote the event by issuing a series of
Simpati pre-paid cards bearing the pictures of four sports:
boxing, judo, rowing and volleyball," he said.

"The sports were chosen considering their achievements as well
as a bid to popularize them."

Last year, Telkomsel provided 100 post-paid kartuHALO cards
worth Rp 3 million for each member of the Indonesian contingent
at the Sydney Olympics.

KONI spokesman Ahmed Solichin said the SEA Games ruling
committee has decided that athletes will be allowed to wear
sponsors' emblems on their sportswear.

"This means that our sponsors receive better exposure as the
athletes are allowed to wear the sportswear at medal presentation
ceremonies," he said.

In a separate development, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo told
reporters that KONI would soon adjust itself according to newly-
signed presidential Decree No.72/2001 citing that KONI will hold
the responsibility over both amateur and professional sports.

"First, KONI must adjust its statute and by-laws to include
professional sports in KONI following the new presidential
decree. There will also be several other consequences for amateur
sports," he said.

"KONI must also change its structure or establish a new
division to handle professional sports."

Arie also talked of the importance of having discussions with
members of the House of Representatives Commission VI on human
resources and religious affairs regarding the deliberation of a
sports law.

"Actually, a presidential decree is issued after a law is
passed to provide detailed regulations. But this time the
detailed regulations preceded the law," he said.

"That's why we need to coordinate with House members to avoid
overlapping." (nvn)