IO – Maruarar Sirait, the Chairman of the Piala President (President Cup) Basketball 2019 steering committee, has promised to be transparent in the use, and he will report the finances of the IDR 375 million total prize pool tournament.
“Such as in football, we ensure that this tournament will be carried out professionally. No government money will be used to hold this event,” said Ara, as he is better known as.
“We also will demand transparency in management, because in the end, we will also be audited and assisted by trusted public accountant Price Waterhouse Coopers to ensure all procedures are carried out professionally.”
On the breakthroughs hoped for in the first tournament, competing for the trophy from the head of state, Ara simply answered, “The total prize money alone is a breakthrough. The most in the history of basketball tournaments in Indonesia.”
Ara is aware that the prize money at stake in the basketball tournament compared to the same tournament in football and esports, isn’t comparable. “Everything has stages. Football can’t be compared as it has far more supporters in Indonesia,” he said.
According to Ara, the next football Piala President has already had its broadcasting rights been bid for IDR 43 billion. “This is despite the fact the event does not even carry advertisements. I still haven’t agreed on the offer,” said Ara.
Basketball is hoped to progress further. “This tournament is hoped to add motivation to players ahead of the upcoming season in January,” he said. “While adding motivation to other young talented players so they are surer in their career as professional basketball players.”
Ara praised Indonesian basketball as it has been one of the more successful team games by winning a silver and bronze medal in SEA Games 2017.
“Hopefully, this Piala Presiden tournament can help increase Indonesia’s basketball achievements. This is only a small bit of help from us, basketball loving seniors are starting to do big things.” (rp)