WestJava, Central Java vie to host 2004 National Games

JAKARTA (JP): Two candidates for the 2004 National Games (PON) boasted on Tuesday their full preparation to host the quadrennial event.

Chairmen of the National Sports Council (KONI) West Java chapter, Dedem Ruchlia, and KONI Central Java chapter, Djoko Sudantoko, both claimed to have received support from their city councilors for their bidding.

They both said they would begin to raise funds to finance PON as soon as either of them were appointed as the host to the event. They also claimed they had the national-standard sport facilities, which would meet the requirement to stage a multisport event.

Dedem said West Java had estimated to provide Rp 70 billion (US$9.7 million) to stage PON.

"We will allocate the money from the provincial budget and sponsorships. We will use PON to empower our people's economy," he said.

Dedem, who is also deputy governor of West Java, said the provinces had also prepared sport facilities all over the area.

Separately, Djoko said Central Java would offer to stage more sport events in PON if it was named the host.

"We have four universities which have sport facilities. We have no problem in accommodating participants because many hotels have offered to give a minimum 30 percent discount for the contingents," he said.

Djoko, who is also the Central Java deputy governor, said the provincial council had given the authority to allocate money to finance PON.

"From the provincial budget, we will allocate Rp 50 billion. We are still expecting another Rp 10 billion from the state budget. Local private businessmen have pledged to contribute Rp 40 billion and there will be another Rp 5 billion from participants," he said.

He said the authority had allocated Rp 10 billion from the provincial budget in the 1999/2000 term to finance the campaign.

"The allocation was approved by City Council," he said during a break in the KONI national plenary meeting at the Senayan multipurpose hall on Tuesday.

Djoko said Central Java wanted to host the next PON because the province wanted to highlight the historical aspect of the Games.

"We have an historical background in staging the event. The first PON was staged in Surakarta, Central Java. We want to host the event again in the new millennium. PON can also unite all the people."

"But it's up to the National Sports Council (KONI) to decide on the host. It's OK for us if we fail in the election," he said.

KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said members of the meeting would pick two of the four host candidates.

"We will consult the provincial authorities of the city candidates and central government officials before we decide on the host," he said.

Separately, East Java Governor Imam Utomo called on the general public not to worry over bonek (fanatic supporters), who often turn violent when their favorite team loses a match.

The 2000 PON will take place in Surabaya from June 19 to June 30.

"We will empower the supporters. Some will escort the contingent and others will be deployed in sport venues to support contesting provinces. We will definitely organize them. They will get special T-shirts to be easily recognized. We will also provide transportation for them," he said after attending the meeting.

Imam said East Java would not force itself to become the overall champion.

"We don't predict East Java to be the overall champion. We want to encourage record setting," he said. (ivy)