'The government doesn't care about sports'

'The government doesn't care about sports'

Green, open spaces for Jakarta residents to participate in
sporting activities are on the decline. Many children have to use
the streets in which to play soccer while the haves must dig deep
into their pockets to make regular visits to fitness centers and
other sporting facilities. The Jakarta Post talked to some people
on where they go to get exercise.

Abud, 27, is an accountant at a finance company in South
Jakarta. He lives in Panglima Polim, South Jakarta:

I can be categorized as an unhealthy person because I rarely
work out, I smoke and I'm a coffee fiend.

I've always wanted to go regularly to a fitness center for
exercise, but somehow I can't fit it into my schedule, not even
on weekends. I'd rather sleep or just hang out at a cafe or
somewhere like that.

So I don't think the real problem is whether Jakartans have a
place to exercise, but whether they have the time to do so in
this very hectic city.

I know there are those lifestyle magazines that give tips
saying you can get exercise in between your office hours without
going to a special place. Well, I think that's all nonsense. No
offense, but calling chess or card games sports sounds
ridiculous.

To me, exercise means doing 'real sports', like playing
soccer. That type of activity is where I can work up a proper
sweat and get so tired that I can really sleep well and feel fit
and refreshed afterwards.

Astuti, is an employee at a private company in Slipi, West
Jakarta. She lives in Tangerang with her husband and two
children:

When I was still single, I found time to go to a fitness
center for aerobics or a swim. I had been doing sports regularly
since I was in elementary school.

But since I got married and had kids, I've found it
increasingly difficult to devote any real time to working out.
Sometimes the four of us go swimming in the swimming pool in our
housing complex or at my son's school. Or, my husband and son go
hit some balls at a golf driving range. To enjoy those
facilities, we must pay a price though.

I wish we had sporting facilities -- such as an inexpensive
sports hall, a soccer and athletic stadium with a swimming pool
-- in every district in the country. But it's impossible. Maybe
it remains a wish forever, because the government doesn't care
about sports.

-- The Jakarta Post