Indonesian SEA Games medalists concerned about bonus

JAKARTA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian athletes who won medals at the Southeast Asian Games concluded earlier this month in Thailand, were concerned they would not get the full sum of a promised cash bonus, local press said Saturday.

During the inauguration ceremony of Indonesian contingent for the SEA Games, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said each SEA Games gold medalist would receive a cash bonus of 200 million rupiah (21,390 US dollars).

Amalia Kurniasih Palupi, who won gold in Thailand and bronze atthe Asian Games in Doha, said she learnt from that experience where most medalists received less than the amount promised by the government, reported The Jakarta Post daily.

Weightlifter Sinta Darmariani who also won gold in women's 75-kilogram class voiced similar concerns.

"I hope the government will keep its promise. If the government can't keep its promise, our sports will never move forward," Sinta said, adding that she planned to use the money to buy a house.

Sports tabloid, BOLA, quoted a source from the sports ministry saying there were insufficient funds available for the 56 SEA Games gold medalists and the ministry planned to give only 150 million rupiah (16,042 dollars) to each winner.

Minister Adyaksa, however, denied the claims saying the government would keep its promise.

"We will give each gold medalist 200 million rupiah," Adyaksa told The Jakarta Post.

He said the funds were already approved by the House of Representatives.

"Otherwise, I would not dare say this," he said.