Gymnasts call for overseas tryouts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games national
\ngymnasts are calling for more overseas tryouts in their training
\nprogram prior to the biennial sporting event in Kuala Lumpur in
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
\"The intensive training program will be meaningless without
\noverseas tryouts as we can't compare our performance with that of
\ngymnasts from other countries,\" said Jonathan Sianturi, who
\ngrabbed five golds at the 1997 Jakarta Games, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"If we can hire foreign coaches why can't we go abroad to gain
\nmore experience and improve our form?\"<\/p>\n
The National Sports Council (KONI) signed on Tuesday contracts
\nwith two Cuban coaches for the Indonesian Amateur Athletics
\nAssociation (PASI) and the Indonesian Gymnastics Association
\n(Pertina) respectively.<\/p>\n
Rafael Figueroa Alcolea is to coach the men's gymnasts.<\/p>\n
\"Hiring foreign coaches is effective for longer training
\nprograms. We only have two months before the Games, so it's
\nbetter if Persani or KONI send us for overseas stints,\" said
\nJonathan, who will be competing in his eighth Games.<\/p>\n
\"I'm still waiting for my turn to go to Romania. Persani has
\nsent two women gymnasts abroad in cooperation with their
\nprovincial administrations.\"<\/p>\n
Lampung-based rhythmic gymnast Yulianti is in Moscow.
\nMeanwhile Oh Ze Ching of South Sumatra is in Bulgaria for his
\nadvanced training sessions. Artistic gymnast Afrina of North
\nSumatra will fly to Moscow later this month.<\/p>\n
Alcolea shared Jonathan's view, saying the gymnasts needed to
\nparticipate in more competitions abroad.<\/p>\n
\"We can either send them abroad or invite gymnasts from other
\ncountries here. What is important is that the gymnasts can see
\nother gymnasts' performance,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"Most of them are young and unexperienced, except for
\nJonathan. They must improve their skills and physical fitness.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar approved the
\nfinancing of seven national divers for a six-week training camp
\nin China.<\/p>\n
The divers are Nasrullah, Husaini Nur and Syukur Zamzami in
\nthe men's side and Eka Purnama, Herliana Dias, Nani Suryani and
\nShenny Ratna Amelia in the women's side.<\/p>\n
\"I'm so happy that all team members can finally go to China.
\nWe'll work hard to grab the two golds at stake with Shenny at the
\ntower, and Eka and Nani in tower synchronized diving,\" coach
\nHarly Ramayani said. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gymnasts-call-for-overseas-tryouts-1447893297",
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