2012, No Budget Allocation for Persija

Jakarta, metropostnews.com - Starting 2012, Jakarta`s football club Persija will no longer receive funds from city`s budget. This is in line with a policy by the Home Affairs Ministry terminating local budget allocation for football clubs across the country.

In response to the policy, Jakarta capital city government is now conducting a study to seek solution so as to make Persija able to independently survive without supports from local budget allocation.

Jakarta Capital City Vice Governor Prijanto asserted the city administration was obliged to follow the policy. "We must adhere to the rule. But we can not let them (Persija) go without a proper solution. Therefore, we will try to find the solution to keep the club alive," said Prijanto at City Hall, recently.

Jakarta Financial Management Board Chief Sukri Bey added, together with the city administration secretary, his side was studying the possibility of establishing an institution to manage the operations of Persija and other clubs like Persitara. "We are looking for other institutions to manage football clubs, especially Persija," said Sukri.

For 2011, disclosed Sukri, Persija and Persitara still obtained budget assistance from city`s budget. Persija alone received a grant of Rp 20 billion, while last year, the city government disbursed Rp 36 billion for the club. "This year, Persitara receives a grant of Rp1 billion," Sukri added. (jek)