Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The State Ministry for Youth and Sports Affairs and the Indonesia Motorsports Association (IMI) on Tuesday launched the Indonesia World of Motorsports, a task force to train young and talented drivers to compete internationally.
The task force was established under a decree by the state minister and will be responsible for selecting drivers with potential, especially those with limited financial means, and providing them the necessary assistance to participate in international events.
"We aim to provide a fast track for potential drivers. We are focusing on athletes who are likely to become champions in international events," the task force's chairman, Juliari P. Batubara, said Tuesday.
"There are lots of such athletes but usually it is hard for them to acquire sponsorships and financial support," he said.
Batubara, who also chairs the IMI, said the task force would immediately start identifying talented drivers from all branches of motorsports and help them find sponsors and participate in international events.
"The task force will also decide on priority races or events we will take part in and the human resources needed for those races," said Batubara.
So far, he said, the task force has identified the GP2 and Speed Car series as the most suitable grounds for Indonesian drivers to gain experience and grow.
"There are lots of international events, but we have to choose those which help our drivers gain experience as well as get world ranks," said Batubara.
Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault said Indonesia would not host the A1 Grand Prix of Nations again after negotiations broke down between the host and the management over the franchise fee.
Adhyaksa said the organizers wanted Indonesia to pay US$6 million in fees, an amount considered too costly. (02)
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