Wismoyo Arismunandar tipped to retain top post at KONI

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Archery Association Hayono Isman believes National Sports Council (KONI) chief Wismoyo Arismunandar has what it takes to stay put at the organization's helm.

"I find him (Wismoyo) a true sports lover and he notched successes during his tenure both as the KONI chairman in the past four years and the Indonesian Judo Association chief in the late 1980s," the state minister of youth affairs and sports from 1993 to 1998 said on Wednesday.

Wismoyo, who replaced Surono in 1995, ends his term next month. The chairmanship election will be held during a congress here from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25.

Hayono said Wismoyo fit the criteria for the council's top job and was acceptable to the sports community.

He believed the chairman must possess good management skills needed for fund-raising activities.

"It's not the right time to try to prod businesspeople to donate their money for sports development. The council must be run economically and professionally."

Despite his support for Wismoyo, Hayono urged all sports organizations and provincial sports bodies to listen to athletes and coaches' aspirations.

"The election must be conducted directly to ensure that it is held in a democratic way."

Wismoyo, a former Army chief of staff, has been cagey on his intentions, hinting he would step down but adding he would stay if the congress showed support for him.

Hayono attributed the noncommittal stance to Indonesian culture and reluctance of people to be straightforward in expressing their ambitions for fear of being considered boastful.

"If someone nominates himself, he will otherwise lose support because he is considered too ambitious."

Hayono also named Djoko Pramono, the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Body building secretary-general, among other top contenders.

Hayono pointedly removed himself from the running. "I have no achievements to be proud of during my early period as the archery body chairman."

Separately, the Indonesian Fencing Association's secretary- general, Soerjono, said the next council chairman must be able to cooperate with all organizations.

"The chairman must be able to change ideas with others, instead of just giving orders," he said as quoted by Antara.

"The chairman must also accommodate sports organizations to develop their athletes."

Soerjono declined to identify prospective candidates. (yan)