House nixes aid for sport centers: Fauzi

JAKARTA: Governor Fauzi Bowo blamed budget cuts in the Youth and Sports Agency for the poor condition of more than half the city’s sports centers.

“Every year, we always propose [a budget increase],” he said, adding that his proposal was turned down during a number of discussions that eventually resulted in unclear programs.

Jhonny Simanjuntak, a member of City Council’s Commission E which oversees education and welfare, previously said that 75 of the city’s 134 sports centers were in poor condition due to budget constraints.

Only 19 sport centers were in good condition, he added.

Jhonny said the city administration had earmarked Rp 200 billion (US$21.9 million) to maintain the centers. — JP