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akarta youth and sports head Ratiyono has admitted sluggish progress, which culminated in a one-month delay in venue renovations for the upcoming 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Jakarta, saying he wanted the projects to proceed flawlessly.

In previous reports, the Indonesian SEA Games Organizing Committee (Inasoc) planned to finish all venue construction and renovation by July.

Ratiyono said Jakarta would likely miss the target, pushing the expected finish time into August.

The statement reflects the fact that the renovation of Rawama-ngun Velodrome in East Jakarta has been delayed over a month due to unsettled tendering.

The velodrome’s renovation, which needs at least three months of work, was initially scheduled to finish by June.

However, as of the beginning of May, the project had not begun.

“Indeed, we have a little delay in fixing the velodrome, as one of contractor companies that participated in the previous tendering process has made an appeal.

“We have to settle the appeal before starting the project. Hopefully, within one or two months, we will be able to start the repairs,” Ratiyono said on Tuesday, adding that the velodrome renovation, which involves track re-surfing and upgrading the supporting facilities, is worth around Rp 14 billion (US$1.64 million).

Despite the delay, renovation on the BMX cycling, sailing, bowling and judo facilities are in progress, said Ratiyono.

“We want to conduct the projects by the rules. Therefore, we are really careful because we are avoiding future troubles,” he added.

As for the unfinished construction of Cipule Lake in West Java for rowing, Ratiyono said some of its supporting facilities, such as a spectator platform, would be in knock-down structures to accelerate completion.

In terms of athletes’ preparation, the Youth and Sports Ministry plans to give an Rp 18.6 billion block grant to the Indonesian Sports Council (KONI).

Deputy Minister Djoko Pekik Irianto said the grant would provide needed training facilities for all Indonesian athletes, including the SEA Games teams.

“The memorandum of understanding of the grant is set to be finished by Wednesday or Thursday. Afterwards, KONI is available to form a procurement committee, conduct tendering and do the procuring,” said Djoko on Monday, adding that he knew the procurement was a little late but that it was “better than not at all”.

Djoko said the funding would not be delivered directly to sports federations due to their large number.

“We think it is more efficient to hand the money to KONI and let the council manage it,” he said, adding that he would ask for a report from KONI on the use of the grant.

Djoko said he would focus on funding disbursements for SEA Games promotions.