Tycoons asked to fund KONI

Tycoons asked to fund KONI

JAKARTA (JP): Prominent businessmen such as timber tycoon Prayogo Pangestu, real-estate developer Ciputra and paper baron Eka Tjipta Widjaja will be among 60 billionaires invited to a discussion tomorrow with the National Sports Council (KONI) on how to raise funds for the sports body.

"We desperately hope to get the businessmen's financial commitment for the sake of our national sports," Setia Novanto, KONI's deputy treasurer told reporters yesterday. KONI will also involve experts during the discussion.

KONI is looking for a trust fund of Rp 300 billion (US$135 million) to finance its activities. It now needs fresh money ahead of the Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai in December. The national training sessions for the Games will officially start early next month. (arf)