MINISTER ASKS STATE FIRMS TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Jakarta, Nov 22 (ANTARA) - State Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar asked on Sunday all state enterprises to support the development of the country's sports.

"We hope all (state enterprises) to support sports activities. Full support will produce a maximum result," he said at the opening of "Speedy Tour d'Indonesia (TDI) here.

Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng meanwhile said support from all sides were badly needed to develop sports in Indonesia.

"Even if one state enterprise can assist the development of one sports branch only, that is already quite good," he said.

The TDI 2009 which kicked off on Sunday will cover a distance of 1,513 km from Jakarta to Denpasar in Bali. The 13-day event is divided into 13 stages with 19 local and foreign teams taking part.