The decision to appoint Roy Suryo as Indonesia’s new youth and sports minister on Friday is being viewed by some in the sporting community as a political move rather than a good-faith effort to improve the country’s national sports. National shuttler Taufik Hidayat was among the disappointed, saying the country’s sports deserved a better minister during a difficult time for its athletes and fans. “He’s not a sports person and he doesn’t have a sports background,” the 2005 badminton world champion said.
“I saw that there are lot of political interests behind his appointment. “It’s a pity because national sports have been enduring hard times and it needs special treatment.” Taufik’s skepticism was not shared by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday when he announced his replacement for Andi Mallarangeng, who resigned in December following graft allegations. “I consider this person to be skillful [and] able to carry out the work as the youth and sports minister,” Yudhoyono said at a press conference.
With the appointment come several tough tasks for Roy, such as rooting out corruption in the graft-tainted ministry and working to unite the divided Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and the Indonesian Football Savior Committee (KPSI). Taufik said Roy, who will be sworn in on Tuesday, needs to have strong priorities to improve the state of national sports. “I hope he can prove himself with his good actions,” he said. “The president had the final word. I’m just an athlete and I will pray for the best for national sport.”
One thing Taufik said he hoped to see in the future was a decoupling of the ministry’s portfolio. “The government should split sports affairs and youth affairs,” he said. “Once we have a dedicated sports minister, sports will be top priority for the ministry.”
source : the jakarta globe
source : the jakarta globe
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