'Wismoyo ideal figure for KONI'

'Wismoyo ideal figure for KONI'

JAKARTA (JP): Another sports figure threw his weight behind Wismoyo Arismunandar to hold the command baton of the National Sports Council (KONI) yesterday as several others opted to take a wait-and-see stance.

A former top official of the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI), Rio Tambunan, said yesterday he though nobody but Wismoyo could lead the national sports governing body. "He's an ideal model of a leader, and he knows a lot about sports," Rio said.

Wismoyo, who is the Army chief of staff, chaired the Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI) for 12 years, from 1982. He refused another four-year term and let former Jakarta Military commander Hendropriyono succeed him during PJSI's congress in December last year.

Earlier on Thursday, former KONI secretary-general MF Siregar and Deputy Secretary of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association Hanafi Saud chose Wismoyo to take KONI's helm.

Rio believed that Wismoyo would accept the new post provided that he understands that national sports will be facing more demanding challenges in the future. "We aim to keep our stranglehold on the Southeast Asian Games, maintain our gold medal wins in the Olympics and to host the 2002 Asian Games," Rio said.

He ruled out the growing impression that KONI is a place for retired government and military people. "KONI is certainly not a place of exile. Instead, the body is a place where the fate of national sports is determined," he said.

Rio acknowledged that he was not close to Wismoyo, but said: "I favored him since our first meeting two years ago."

KONI will vote for its president for the next four-year term during a three-day congress which starts here on Monday. The congress will also discuss sports development, finances and organizational affairs.

Also yesterday, KONI's incumbent president Surono avoided commenting on his successors. "I will speak during the congress. Let's talk about something like this at the right time," Surono said upon installing the new leadership board of KONI's Lampung chapter.

Surono said he supported the idea of rejuvenating KONI's leadership board. "It's a great idea. I'm fully behind it," he said. "Everybody actually has the same chance to run for the presidency post," he added.

PGSI's new chairman, TB Silalahi, also took a wait-and-see posture, saying that he will bow in the congress' decisions. Silalahi, minister of administrative reforms, is one of 77 people who have the right to vote for KONI president.

"The new president, no matter who she or he may be, should be a person with strong motivation to develop our national sports. He or she should have enough time and a broad mind," Silalahi said. (amd)