Jonathan relishes coaching role<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian gymnastics star Jonathan Sianturi, who says he wants
\nto resign as an athlete in 2004, now has double duties as a
\nplayer and a coach.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old gymnast has been included on the new executive
\nboard of the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani) with the
\ntask of transferring his gymnastics expertise to younger
\ngymnasts.<\/p>\n
The coaching task must have consequences, of which Jonathan is
\nwell aware.<\/p>\n
He may not be able to focus on training as much before the
\n2003 SEA Games, a biennial multi-event sporting showcase among
\nthe Southeast Asian nations.<\/p>\n
\"Everything we undertake has consequences. I will have to
\nreduce my training, especially in the disciplines where I don't
\nhave good prospects in competition,\" Jonathan said.<\/p>\n
He said that he would continue to allocate lots of time and
\ntrain hard in four disciplines of gymnastics where he should have
\nmedal prospects, but he refused to name them.<\/p>\n
\"While training I'll give the younger guys some tips. I'm
\ncurious about that. This is a form of responsibility for me. This
\nis a form of my service to the country's sports,\" he said after
\nthe inauguration of the Persani board at the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI) here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Jonathan has many gold medals for Indonesia at the SEA Games.
\nAfter winning a silver in his 1985 debut, he upped his
\nperformance to win in almost every edition of the games he
\nparticipated until 2001 in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
The 1991 appearance was the only exception when he had to
\ncrash out injured.<\/p>\n
While he relishes being praised for his sporting contributions
\nto the country, Jonathan could not hide his dismay at Persani's
\ninability to generate other gymnasts of his ability.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lack of standardized training facilities and a
\npoor technical department in our country,\" Jonathan said, while
\nadding that was the major factor impeding regeneration.<\/p>\n
\"A good foreign coach is important but the most important is
\nthat his presence should be optimally used for the need of skills
\ntransfer to the locals,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The new Persani board for the 2002-2006 period is now led by
\nZulkifli Nurdin. The governor of Jambi province takes over the
\npost from convicted corruptor Mohammad \"Bob\" Hasan, who is
\ncurrently serving a six-year prison sentence.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jonathan-relishes-coaching-role-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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