'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)