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)