Pertamina sponsors Asian Beach Games 23/09/2008 |
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The Asian Beach Games organizers has obtained a sponsorship boost worth Rp 20 billion (US$ 2.2 million) from state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to ease their financial hardship.
"We are excited to be part of the most prestigious sporting event in Indonesia which is also the first of its kind in the world," Pertamina director Ari H. Soemarno said during a media conference at the Sultan Hotel in Jakarta on Monday.
"The Bali Games is the first ever international multi-event beach sports showcase which carries high strategic value for product promotion and enhancing the pro-business atmosphere among Asian countries," he said, adding Pertamina had been discussing such sponsorship with the Indonesian Sports Council since last year.
Pertamina's involvement in sponsoring the beach games marks the company's latest public relations endeavor through sports.
"In 2008, we have already supported Indonesia's A1 team," Ari said, referring to the international autoracing competition.
"We have also taken part as the main sponsor in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational golf tournament and the Pertamina Independence Cup soccer competition in August."
Through such sponsorships, Ari said he expected Pertamina, which reported sales earnings of Rp 500 trillion in 2007, will become better known to the world and improve his foothold in international business trade and industry.
The Asian Beach Games will run from Oct. 18 to 26 in Bali.
Pertamina's sponsorship is expected to ease financing difficulties which forced the Games' organizing committee to trim the budget from Rp 320 billion to some Rp 200 billion.
Sony Subrata, in charge of marketing and public relations for the committee, said recently they had secured support from other sponsors in the form of products worth some Rp 4.6 billion.
The government has also given its financial backing by channeling Rp 175 billion to the endeavor.
However, funds raised to date are far from reaching the mark as defined in the initial budget.
"Looking for sponsorship is the hardest part of organizing the Bali Games, as the event is something new to the world," the organizing committee's chair Rita Subowo said.
"We've decided to reduce the budget. For example, we will use our own products in building the venues. This may not bring the Bali Games up to Olympic standards, but it will surely save a lot of money," Rita said, adding all infrastructure planned for the Games had been approved by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
The Bali Games will feature 19 beach-based athletic competitions. Besides the perennial categories of surfing, swimming and volleyball, two newcomers -- water polo and beach basketball -- were included only recently as exhibition sports.
Some 5,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries are expected to take part.
The competition will take place at four main venues: Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur and Sarangan Island.
Rita said beach volleyball has turned out to be the most favored sport with 53 teams ready to participate.
"Currently, we are completing five competition sites and a spectators' arena with 3,000 seats."
(Source: thejakartapost.com)
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