Wismoyo wants financial rewards for SEA Games medal winners

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)