'We have to spend more on sport'

'We have to spend more on sport'

Despite extending over an area of 661.52 square kilometers, the
capital city, Jakarta, has only the Bung Karno sports complex in
Senayan, Central Jakarta, and some smaller sports facilities
spread over five municipalities. The limited open space, which
keeps decreasing year by year, has forced people on middle and
upper incomes to turn to private sports facilities for exercise.
Those who cannot afford it use the streets as their soccer field.
The Jakarta Post talked to some people on the issue.

Febrianto Saptodewo, 26, is a freelance graphic designer, who
loves all kinds of martial arts. He lives with his family in
Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta:

I don't need a special place to work out to stay healthy. I
can just use my grassed back yard at home to do stretching and
practice my martial arts skills.

I also have weight-lifting equipment at home if I need to
seriously work on my muscles. There's also a basketball court in
my housing complex where I can shoot some rounds with my friends.

If I ever go to a fitness center, it's only to hang out or
socialize with friends.

Nevertheless, I've noticed that Jakarta has fewer parks and
public spaces where people can exercise and play sports. Maybe,
we've got only the (Bung Karno) sports complex in Senayan now.
Many others have been demolished to make way for shopping malls.

Although it sounds ironic, people can still get exercise by
walking around those malls. The problem is that it is impossible
to take a stroll or jog in the streets because of the city's
hectic traffic with all its pollution and reckless drivers.

Egidius Patnistik, 30, is a reporter with detik.com news
portal in Central Jakarta. He lives in a rented house in
Percetakan Negara, Central Jakarta:

I usually jog once a week. Previously, I jogged at Suropati
Park but just moved recently to the National Monument (Monas)
Park, as the latter has a longer running track and more space.
I've also joined a fitness center at Santika hotel. Of course, I
must dig deeper into my pocket for it.

I think Jakarta has limited public space for its residents to
do sports. Therefore, people must spend extra money to reach
those places.

I have to spend at least Rp 10,000 (US$1.1) on transportation
to reach Monas Park or Suropati Park from my home.

-- The Jakarta Post