Cycling body renews targets<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gold medals at Asian-level competitions,
\nSoutheast Asian Games victory and a uniform nationwide training
\nprogram are the highlights of the Indonesian Cycling
\nAssociation's program for the next four years.<\/p>\n
At its national congress in Jimbaran, Bali, that concluded on
\nSunday, the association also elected 42-year-old businessman
\nHarry Sapto Supoyo, the incumbent chairman, to lead its charges.<\/p>\n
An official of the association, Sofyan Ruzian, told The
\nJakarta Post yesterday that the congress found it necessary to
\nset up a national training system, which will provide a firmer
\ninfrastructure for the goals of winning Asian gold medals and
\nmaintaining supremacy in the SEA Games.<\/p>\n
Until recently, the association's provincial chapters
\ndeveloped training programs for their own cyclists.<\/p>\n
Ruzian said that Indonesia's gold-medal-winning bid in Asian
\nlevel competitions will be focused on some sprint and pursuit
\nevents at which its cyclists particularly excel.<\/p>\n
Indonesia ruled the 1991 SEA Games' cycling, suffered a
\nsetback two years later, and bounced back to top the table last
\nyear in Chiang Mai, Thailand.<\/p>\n
In the world cycling championships in Manila in May last year,
\ntop national female rider Nurhayati finished second in the 40-
\nkilometer point race behind a Chinese rival. Nurhayati also took
\na bronze in the 500m individual time trial behind two Japanese
\ncyclists.<\/p>\n
Ruzian quoted re-elected chairman Harry as saying that a lack
\nof funds is the association's main problem. From 1991 to 1996,
\nthe association has spent a total of Rp 4.4 billion (US$1.9
\nmillion), mostly on preparations for various events.<\/p>\n
The expenditures included the hiring of an Australian coach
\nand the three-month training program in Australia prior to the
\nChiang Mai SEA Games.<\/p>\n
Ruzian said that Harry, president commissioner of a private
\nbank, Bank Utama, and the National Sports Council have thus far
\nbeen the major financial sponsors of the association's
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
\"But the money won't be enough if the association is to
\nfinance a long-term, uninterrupted training program for all its
\nprovincial cyclists,\" Ruzian said. The congress has not yet set a
\nnew budget, according to Ruzian.<\/p>\n
Another result of the congress, Ruzian said, was the deletion
\nof the word \"amateur\" from its statute in accordance with UCI,
\nthe world cycling body's, policy.<\/p>\n
Ruzian added the association plans to revive the Tour de
\nIndonesia in October. The tour will start from Jakarta and end in
\nBali. The tour last took place in 1991. (arf)<\/p>",
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