Top Indonesian athletes rewarded with houses

JAKARTA, June 22 (Reuters) Indonesia has awarded houses to 44 of the country's top athletes for achieving success on the international stage, an official said today.

The houses, each worth 100 million rupiah (11,110 dollar), were awarded to athletes ranging from top badminton stars to cyclists by Indonesia's sports minister, Adhyaksa Dault, at a ceremony earlier this month.

''This giving of houses is important to show that the Indonesian government appreciates the athletes so that there will be no fear anymore of becoming an athlete in the future,'' said an official at the ministry.

Priority was given to athletes living in poverty, but Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat was also given a house.

Two track athletes, Yan Imang and Sumardi, who had success in previous decades, were also given houses posthumously.

Indonesia has achieved most success in badminton, a national obsession, as well as sports such as archery and weightlifting.

But it has struggled in many other disciplines at the international level and faded as sports powerhouse in Southeast Asia, particularly given a lack of resources since the financial crisis of the late 1990s.

Another 56 houses would be given out this year, the official said.

REUTERS SAM BD1641