WestJava, Central Java vie to host 2004 National Games

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)