We have basis but no leader to develop sports: Sport guru

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 04/23/2007 3:14 PM

Damar Harsanto and Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

During the past few years, Indonesia's sporting achievements at the international level have been disappointing and many people have blamed this trend on the lack of attention given to sports development by the government.

Since Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla took office two-and-a-half years ago, Indonesia has lost the Thomas Cup badminton championship twice, finished fifth in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and managed to win only two gold medals at the 2006 Asian Games.

With more international events approaching, many Indonesians are wondering when the country will see more sporting champions emerge.

Sporting development is not only about winning medals. Winning medals is part of a long process and the current government has inherited various problems from previous governments in the area of sport.

Sports guru Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar said Yudhoyono's government has been on the right track in terms of developing sport in the country.

""During Yudhoyono's tenure, a sports law was passed in 2005 and the National Sports Council (KONI) started to involve its provincial chapters and clubs in boosting sports development nationwide. The President also initiated the 3S program, which relates to the sporting community, sports funds and sports centers,"" he told The Jakarta Post on the weekend.

""But one problem remains. Who should follow up these policies and programs?

""The sports minister should be the one in charge of the development of sport in cooperation with KONI and the Education Ministry. These three parties should be inseparable in such efforts,"" he said.

Siregar reiterated his calls for the government to return to sporting development concepts introduced during the Sukarno and Soeharto eras.

""We used to have a 10-year sports development program during the Sukarno era which focused on training students to be our future sporting champions. Soeharto established the Panji Olahraga program during his regime, which aimed at converting sport into a culture in Indonesian society.""

National tennis player Febi Widhianto agreed that the government has shown a lack of support for sports development.

""Our sporting achievements have declined throughout the past few years. It is sad that neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam have become better than us,"" he said.

Asian Games gold medalist Ryan Lalisang said the government has failed to address old problems lingering in the area of sport.

""Budget constraints and a lack of sporting facilities are old problems that are leading to the current setback in our sporting performances,"" he said.

He said the government should focus on developing certain sports in the country in which Indonesian athletes could excel in international competitions.

""The SBY-JK government has also failed to reject plans to convert sports facilities into commercial venues,"" he said, referring to the recent demolition of the Menteng soccer field.

National beach volleyball coach Slamet Mulyanto said that sport in general in Indonesia has been losing its value as a factor in nation building.

""Each of us have a role to play in improving the country's performance in international sporting events. The government has an obligation to improve the country's economy so that business is thriving again and there are more employment opportunities for the people,"" he said.

""With a better economy, people will become more prosperous and sport may become a lucrative business because people may be more attracted to becoming professional sportspeople.""

Looking at the present condition, Siregar said that for the moment the government should not set medal targets at the international level.

""What is more important right now is developing the skills of talented students. Sports officials must focus on these young people and not only on those who are already competing at the international level.

""We must follow the examples of China, Japan and South Korea who gathered their sporting experts after the 2000 Olympics to make sure their performances improved in future competitions.

""To do so, we need a tough leader who is able to handle all problems related to sport in the country,"" he said.

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