'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