Indonesia, which will be hosting this year’s SEAG, is pouring in a budget of $44.4 million for its athletes’ training for the biennial meet, which will be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang on Nov. 11 to 25.

Wafid Muharram, secretary of the State Ministry for Youth and Sports Affairs, told the Jakarta Post that the money will be used for sports federations’ training programs under the Golden Indonesia Program or Prima.

Prima is Indonesia’s national training program, launched last year by the government and the Indonesian National Sports Committee, the body which selects athletes and oversees their training.

Prima officials pledged to make every effort to help Indonesia dominate the SEA Games.

“Our only aim is to top the medal tally again, and based on the progress our athletes made at the previous two SEA Games, we are optimistic,” said Tono Suratman, Prima’s chairman.

Indonesia used to be a dominant force in the region, but has struggled over the past decade just to make the top three at the SEA Games.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, through its sports agency, the Philippine Sports Commission, said that it will allocate P400 million for its own athletes, which will be distributed among participating national sports associations.

PSC Chairman Richie Garcia earlier asked the various NSAs to present their programs for the year, specifically the training of athletes for the SEAG.

The PSC and the different NSA heads are set to discuss all the issues pertaining to the coming SEAG when they meet over lunch today at the Manila Yacht Club in Roxas Blvd.

Garcia said the NSAs need to present a concrete program so that the meager fund that the PSC has can be utilized in the best way possible.

“I honestly believe that our athletes should be better prepared. Kasi, ibibigay natin ang kailangan nila. Foreign exposure, a good budget, good nutrition, equipment and uniforms,” said Garcia.

The Philippines is seeking to improve its fifth-place finish from the Laos meet held two years ago, with Philippine Olympic committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco expressing confidence that the country can even grab the overall championship.

Also in the agenda for today’s meeting is the Philippines’ participation in the 2012 Olympics, and local games such as the Batang Pinoy and the various National Open.

Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Today