Wismoyo wants financial rewards for SEA Games medal winners

JAKARTA (JP): The 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are still about two months away but the National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar has prepared bonuses for his medal winners.

Wismoyo called on the government on Thursday to provide Rp 2.5 billion (US$325,000) in bonus insurance for the biennial event medalists.

"For the sake of friendship, I am optimistic that the government will provide the money," he said optimistically.

Wismoyo said KONI needed about Rp 12.5 billion to finance the centralized training program, athletes transportation and accommodation during the Games in Brunei, Darussalam, from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

On Thursday, KONI received Rp 4.5 billion, as promised by the Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS), during its meeting with Minister/State Secretary Muladi.

The training program started in early May and KONI has spent nearly Rp 500 million from its budget to cover expenses during the training period.

Wismoyo also said KONI would receive Rp 5.5 billion allocated from the state budget from the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) on Monday.

To cover the deficit of the total budget of Rp 12.5 billion, KONI will seek the Rp 2.5 billion from sponsors.

Earlier Thursday, KONI's treasurer Setya Novanto urged businesspeople to continue the donations for sports development in the country despite recent news on the alleged bribery of the chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI) Andi M. Ghalib, who is also the attorney general, by prominent businessmen and KONI donors Prajogo Pangestu and The Nin King.

"I asked the media not to exaggerate the case regarding the two businessmen, because it would have a bad impact on sports development. We don't want other businessmen to stop contribution," he said.

He also said that the two businessmen donated to PGSI and not to Ghalib. "The request for contributions come from PGSI treasurer Tahir Mochtar Riady," he said. The Riady family is the owner of Lippo Group enterprise, which includes banking and properties. (ivy)