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span class="caption" style="width: 298px;">Alexandra Asmasoebrata: (Antara)The recent farewell ceremony to see off Alexandra Asmasoebrata to the Asian Formula Renault (AFR) championship turned into an occasion that was used by the team to bring up its hopes for guaranteed financial support from both sponsors and the government.

Alexandra, popularly known as Andra, is the only female racer involved in the championship that will begin its 2013 season with races in Zuhai, China, on Saturday and Sunday.

Her participation, however, seems to be highly dependent on the availability of financial sources provided by the sponsors.

“Andra has recorded an achievement, but unfortunately she still has to beg for sponsors,” Alex Asmasoebrata, her father and manager, said during the ceremony held a few days before the team’s departure.

Among the VIP guests were Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo and Ali Mundakir, an official from state oil and gas company Pertamina, one of the team’s sponsors.

Andra, 25, drives under the flag of Alexandra Pertamina Racing Team and was hailed for having an impressive 2011, taking the runner-up position in the Asian category of the championship.

However, a lack of sponsorship forced Andra to skip the races the following year.

A lack of assurance in continued sponsorship seems to still be besetting them as they have tentatively decided to race just in the opening two of five series while they wait for more helping hands.

“I’m hopeful that with the help of the new minister, Andra can race the whole series,” Alex said.

The second series will be held in Shanghai, before the races return to Zuhai for the last three series until December.

Roy expressed his regret over the fact that the government could not assist Andra due to the meager amount of funds allocated for sports.

“I have to admit that we don’t have a regulation specifically on financing sports. From the Rp 1.9 trillion (US$195.77 million) we have in the ministry, Rp 1.1 trillion is for education with the rest is for the culture sector. Sports funding has to be apportioned from what is allocated for culture. This does not make sense,” he said.

“That’s why I will send a letter to the Finance Ministry to issue a regulation over sports funding,” he said.