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ndonesian athletes can now be more confident of their prospects of gaining a solid education with the sports governing body, KONI, working with local tertiary institutions to facilitate them.

The agreement aims to allow athletes to pursue undergraduate studies while they undergo training for sports competitions.

After initiating an agreement last year to cooperate with the University of Indonesia, which has facilitated athletes to take up studies at the prestigious state-owned university, the National Sports Council (KONI) signed a similar agreement with the Indonesian Christian University (UKI) on Tuesday.

"Higher education will provide athletes with sharper intelligence and analytical capabilities in decision-making, and will also boost their self confidence. A good education will also guarantee a brighter future for them," KONI chairwoman Rita Subowo said Tuesday.

"Assurance of a better future will definitely motivate our athletes to produce better achievements for our country," said Rita, adding that KONI would soon facilitate more athletes to study at other universities, such as the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and YAI private university.

There are currently 15 national athletes from badminton, bowling, baseball, softball, basketball, karate, volleyball, golf and water polo studying at the University of Indonesia through recommendations from KONI.

These athletes are enrolled in various courses including administration, communications, accountancy, management, dentistry, engineering, international relations and literature.

This year, KONI will select between 10 and 20 more national athletes to take up Diploma-3 or bachelor degrees majoring in economics, law or psychology at UKI.

The applicants must have either national or international achievements under their belts - from the National Games (PON), SEA Games, Asian Games, Olympic Games or at Asian or world-level single-event championships.

"The athletes recommended by KONI will be admitted to our university by the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year," UKI Dean Maruli Gultom said after the signing.

"These athletes are entitled to study in regular classes, and have their lecture schedule adjusted to meet their sports training program if they are unable to attend regular classes," Maruli said.

UKI will also admit athletes originating from provinces outside Jakarta who hope to continue their undergraduate studies conducted previously in other regions.

KONI asks athletes to finance their own studies. However, athletes unable to afford their studies will be assisted by KONI to obtain sponsorship.