Sports Go All Out in Budget Proposal

Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

An aerial photo shows the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/12). Renovations at Gelora Bung Karno are being rushed to reach completion in February next year, in time for test events ahead of the 2018 Asian Games.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Board members of sports associations are requesting large funds from the government for the 2018 Asian Games training center. The total amount of funds proposed has reached Rp 1 trillion (US$73.8 million), well above the budget allocation of Rp 550 billion. Ironically, the huge budget proposal is not coupled with the best of achievement targets.

From the latest verification of national training proposals that were filed by 40 sports associations to the Youth and Sports Ministry, it was found that the proposed funds totaled twice the amount initially budgeted. Despite asking for a considerable amount of funds, the sports associations have collectively targeted to win medals in only 40 percent of the 462 event categories at the 2018 Asian Games. The other 60 percent or so have not targeted any medals, but have rather aimed for improved achievement.