Some of the lawmakers were astonished after the Indonesia Sea Games organizing committee (Inasoc) chairperson Rita Subowo explained that Inasoc has run out of money, while the sports event is only about two months away.
Rita Subowo who is also chairperson of the Indonesian national sports committee (KONI) disclosed the disbursement problem in a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) commission and Youth and Sports minister here on Friday (Sept. 9).
In a bid to carry out the 26th Sea Games as scheduled, Inasoc hoped that a total of Rp700 billion from the 2011 revised state budget could be disbursed before September 15 because Inasoc is in need of money.
In the face of the emergency situation, Inasoc asked the government to issue a presidential decree or presidential regulation as legal umbrella in order to expedite the disbursement of the funds from the revised 2011 state budget, for instance for
goods procurements and services.
The Youth and Sports Ministry has held a meeting with Inasoc and the cabinet secretary in a bid to immediately issue the presidential decree or presidential regulation.
In the meantime, Minister Andi Mallarangeng expressed optimism that all the tenders including the financing of Sea Games preparations can be conducted in accordance with the deadlines.
"I have discussed the issuance of the legal umbrella with the cabinet secretary and the state secretary," Mallarangeng said, adding that the funds can be disbursed as required by Inasoc.
Apart from that, Vice President Boediono expressed hope that the Indonesian athletes who will competing in the 26th Sea Games and the ASEAN Para Games 2011 can show their best achievements.
"Let us show our best in the sports achievements," the vice president said in his address at the commemoration of the 28th National Sports Day (Haornas) 2011 in the Jakarta main sports stadium on Friday (Sept.9).
The 2011 Sea Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, while the ASEAN Para Games will take place in Surakarta, Central Java.
The vice president hoped Indonesia can become a good host to perform the Sea Games and ASEAN Para Games.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Mallarangeng said after attending a SEA Games 2011 roll call at the Bung Karno Sports Stadium in Jakarta recently, "Executives of all sports branches must prepare their athletes based on their programs to ensure their readiness for SEA Games."
He said Indonesia must really be ready to show its best performances in Southeast Asia`s biggest event, whose organizing would need at least Rp2 trillion, about 232 million dollars.
A total of 542 gold medals will be contested in 44 sports games. In Palembang, Sea Games will be held at the Jakabaring sports complex. Half of the 44 sports games will be held in the South Sumatra capital city of Palembang.
The opening and closing ceremony of the Sea Games were scheduled to be held in the Jakabaring sports stadium.
Indonesia has hosted Sea Games namely the 10th Sea Games in 1979, the 15th Sea Games in 1987 and the 19th Sea Games in 1997.
In addition, the 44 branches of sports which will be competed in Jakarta and Palembang on November 11-22, 2011 are 1.Aquatics, 2. Archery, 3. Athletics, 4. Badminton, 5. Baseball, 6. Basketball, 7. Billiards & Snooker, 8. Bowling, 9. Boxing, 10. Bridge, 11. Canoeing, 12. Chess, 13. Cycling, 14. Equestrian, 15. Fencing, 16. Fin Swimming, 17. Football, 18. Futsal, 19. Golf, 20. Gymnastics, 21. Judo, 22. Karate, 23. Paragliding, 24. Pencak Silat, 25. Petanque, 26. Roller Sports, 27. Rowing, 28. Sailing, 29. Sepaktakraw, 30. Shorinji Kempo, 31. Shooting, 32. Softball, 33. Soft Tennis, 34. Table Tennis, 35. Taekwondo, 36. Tennis, 37. Traditional Boat Race, 38. Volleyball, 39. Vovinam, 40. Wall Climbing ,41. Water Ski, 42. Weightlifting, 43. Wrestling, and 44. Wushu
Minister Mallarangeng in his visit to Palembang recently among others explained that about 10 thousand foreign guests who will come to Palembang will not only compete or watch the game.
In addition, the visitors will be shopping souvenirs and taste the typical food of Palembang, said Andi.
The visitors are also expected to come following the SEA Games
after they felt the local community`s hospitality, Mallarangeng said.
Sea Game try-out coordinator Dhennie Zainal said the condition of all the arenas of the sports games should be tested in order to see whether or not the venues are feasible including the preparations of the SEA Games committee.
Previously, South Sumatra goveror H Alex Noerdin said the full support from the local communities to the Sea Games would be a key to make the Sea Games a success.
Governor Alex Noerdin also said several field tryouts including swimming will be held in October at the SEA Games arena.
One of the field try-outs to be held is swimming championships that with a number of countries participating.
"We are trying to complete the construction of the SEA Games facilities, especially the city of Palembang which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the upcoming Sea Games," he said.
In a bid to enliven the opening and closing ceremonies of the 26th Sea Games,a colossal event involving a total of 3,800 dancers comprising school and university students have been prepared.
The issuance of the presidential decree or presidential regulation as the legal umbrella to expedite the funds disbursement from the revised 2011 state budget is of course badly needed by Inasoc to confirm if the Sea Games can be held as scheduled or not. (*)
Reporter: bustanuddin
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
