Wismoyo Arismunandar tipped to retain top post at KONI
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)