West Java athletes upset over 'unfair' bonuses

West Java athletes upset over 'unfair' bonuses

BANDUNG (JP): The 15th National Games' (PON) West Javanese
athletes expressed their dissatisfaction on the cash bonuses
handed over by the West Java administration here on Tuesday.

The administration provided Rp 4.5 billion (US$483,870) from
its Provincial Budget to the PON medalists. While the National
Sports Council's (KONI) West Java chapter provides Rp 700
million.

Each gold medalist bagged Rp 19 million, each silver medalist
pocketed Rp 11 million while each bronze medalist earned Rp 5
million.

Those who failed to earn medals received Rp 1 million, while
athletes performing in exhibition events got Rp 500.000.

Soccer team manager Mursyid WK said the dissatisfaction was
expressed on their way to Surabaya, which hosted PON in late May,
as they had not, at that stage, been informed of any bonus
figures.

"We just found out the amount today and we have no idea on
what basis the figures came from," he said on the sidelines of
the handing over ceremony by Governor R. Nuriana.

Mursyid said soccer players considered the cash bonus an
important matter to boost their motivation. They usually receive
high payments in regular tournaments and they expected to receive
something special in the major quadrennial event.

Table tennis team manager Tegus Satria said he was confused
about the bonus for doubles players, as the administration only
attributed the figures for singles and team events.

"All table tennis athletes won medals and we have asked about
this to the chapter's chairman and secretary general but they
always said they didn't know. It makes it difficult for us to
explain to the athletes," he complained.

West Java earned 83 golds, 92 silvers and 103 bronzes but had
to be satisfied with the overall position of third, following
host East Java and former defending champion Jakarta. (25)