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)