Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympics organizing committee, holds up the medals for this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games on Feb. 1, 2024 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (Reuters/Benoit Tessier)
N
ational sports associations are kicking off their preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games as the government disburses funds to help them get off to a flying start.
Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo signed an agreement on Monday with 11 national sport associations for total funding of around Rp 61.5 billion (US$3.9 million) to prepare for this year’s Olympics.
The funds are earmarked for athlete development and selection, coaches’ fees and other expenditures.
The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani) received the highest allocation of nearly Rp 12 billion, followed by the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI) with Rp 9 billion and the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) with Rp 8.6 billion.
The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) received Rp 7.5 billion, while the remaining associations received funds ranging between Rp 1 billion and Rp 5 billion.
On Thursday, the minister signed two more agreements with the Indonesian Rowing and Paddling Association (PODSI) and the Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin) for a combined total of Rp 19 billion, bringing the total funding for Olympics preparation to Rp 80 billion.
“I hope this support from the government can help the associations push more athletes to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” Dito said in a statement on Thursday.
