BLITAR – The management transition within the city’s sports organization has led to the return of KONI Blitar assets to the Blitar City Government, including the organization’s office building and operational vehicles.
The issue drew public attention after residents noticed that the KONI Blitar office on HOS Cokroaminoto Street had remained closed in recent days. The situation sparked speculation that authorities had sealed the building.
Former KONI Blitar Chairman Sukarji quickly denied those claims. He said the office closure had nothing to do with sanctions or enforcement measures. Instead, the situation resulted from the end of the organization’s 2022–2026 management term.
According to Sukarji, the previous administration officially completed its term on May 26, 2026. Since a new board has not yet taken office, the organization can no longer use government-owned assets provided under a loan-for-use agreement.
“The office has not been sealed. The management period ended on May 26. Because the new leadership has not yet formed, we can no longer use the assets loaned by the government,” Sukarji said on Monday.
He explained that the Blitar Youth and Sports Agency had also sent a formal letter requesting the return of all assets covered by the agreement.
The returned assets include the KONI office building, two operational vehicles, and other facilities that belong to the city government. Officials had previously allowed the organization to use those assets to support sports development programs and administrative activities.
Sukarji noted that loan-for-use agreements require regular renewal. Therefore, any future KONI leadership must submit a new request before using the assets again.
“Those assets require annual renewal. The next management board must apply again if it wants to use the building and vehicles,” he said.
He also stressed that not all property associated with the organization falls under the same category. Assets purchased directly by KONI through grant funding remain under the organization’s ownership.
Sports equipment, office inventory, and other items funded through KONI budgets will continue to belong to the organization. Those assets can support future sports programs once the new leadership begins its work.
Sukarji added that the previous board returned the government-owned assets as part of its responsibility during the transition period. Until a definitive leadership structure takes shape, the city government will hold those assets through the Youth and Sports Agency.
“Those are the rules. We must return the assets first before signing a new loan-for-use agreement,” he explained.
The future of KONI Blitar now depends on the issuance of a new management decree. Sukarji said the organization continues to wait for a decision from the provincial sports authority.
He confirmed that the authority to approve the new leadership rests with the East Java branch of the National Sports Committee of Indonesia. Until that decision arrives, the office will remain closed and the returned assets will stay under city government control.