The recent success of the U-19 football team has made the team`s players, such as Evan Dimas and Maldini Pali, very popular, attracting numerous invitations from many quarters.
Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Sports Minister Roy Suryo has asked all political parties to refrain from using athletes for their political campaigns.

"I am warning all parties against using athletes, especially U-19 football players, for political purposes such as campaigning for the regional elections," he said at the award ceremony for athletes and coaches who have made great achievements, which was held at The Sahid Rich Jogja Hotel here on Thursday in connection with the commemoration of National Sports Day.

The recent success of the U-19 football team in winning the AFF Cup and later proceeding to the final round of the Asia Cup 2014 in Myanmar has made the team`s players, such as Evan Dimas and Maldini Pali, very popular, attracting numerous invitations from many quarters.

"A bonus in the form of a house from a governor or a regional chapter of the Indonesia National Sports Committee is okay, but it is different and will attract questions if the regional head candidate of a political party invites a player from his region to a gala dinner. The motive there is worth questioning," he stated.

Minister Suryo had deliberately held the special event at The Sahid Rich Jogja Hotel ahead of the highlight of the commemoration of National Sports Day to be held at Mandala Krida Stadium and attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, allowing him to freely present the awards to the athletes and coaches without interruption.

On the occasion, he presented 523 of the one thousand awards to some 43 people representing both regional and international student athletes from elementary to senior high schools.

With regard to student athletes, the minister said he would cooperate with the minister of education to assure their future success.

"We want student athletes to finish their studies, so they can later get decent jobs," he remarked.

The awards were divided into two packages, worth Rp125 million and Rp37.5 million, for athletes and former athletes with significant achievements.

Coaches, meanwhile, received Rp15 million each, while student athletes in elementary, junior high and senior high school received awards worth Rp5 million, Rp5.5 million and Rp7 million, respectively.

"This is proof that the government---in this case, the sports ministry---has not been idle but is ready to help those who achieve success," he stated.

Adolf Wage Waromi, a former athlete from Jayapura, Papua, expressed happiness over being invited to attend the commemoration of National Sports Day 2013.

"I never expected to receive this invitation, let alone have my picture taken with the sports minister," said the former rowing athlete, who is now working as a fisherman in Jayapura.

Other athletes receiving awards were boxer Chris John, national wushu athlete Lindswell and badminton coach Richard Mainaky.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013