KONI flexible in deciding sports event priority<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has left the
\ndecision on whether Olympic-bound athletes should compete in the
\n15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June to their
\nindividual sports' organizations.<\/p>\n
The council's vice chairman Arie Sudewo told reporters on
\nThursday the council would wait for training program reports from
\nsports organizations that were allowing Olympic-qualified
\nathletes to perform in the National Games.<\/p>\n
\"KONI's aim is for athletes to reach their peak form in the
\nOlympics. We have decided all athletes preparing for the Olympics
\nmust not compete in local events in order to avoid disturbing
\ntheir training programs. But if competing in PON is a part of
\ntheir training program for the Olympics, we can allow it. I
\nbelieve sports organizations know their athletes' capabilities
\nbest,\" he said.<\/p>\n
So far, 14 athletes from swimming, diving, windsurfing,
\narchery, track and field, weightlifting and tae kwon do have
\nqualified for the Olympics in Sydney in September. Some 20
\nbadminton players are also expected to join the contingent after
\nthe qualification deadline on April 30.<\/p>\n
Arie said KONI told its provincial branches during a meeting
\nwith National Games' organizers in Surabaya on Monday not to
\nforce Olympic-bound athletes to compete at the games to get
\nmedals.<\/p>\n
\"We asked them to put national interest above local interest.
\nThere will be many provinces who will lose the opportunities to
\nwin medals in some events,\" he said.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela
\nhad urged sports organizations earlier to prioritize the Olympic
\ngoal during training, fearing injuries during competition at the
\nGames.<\/p>\n
Sinambela also said he would invite sports organizations to
\ndiscuss competition priorities if they insisted on fielding their
\nathletes at PON.<\/p>\n
Separately, top national windsurfer Oka Sulaksana said he
\nhoped to perform at PON to help improve his form for the
\nOlympics. He was certain he could avoid injury.<\/p>\n
\"This is not about bonuses or provincial prestige, but
\nwindsurfing is different from other sports. Windsurfers need to
\nperform in many competitions to improve their stamina,\" the 1998
\nAsian Games gold medalist was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
KONI's Bali branch executive director I Gusti Ketut Adhiputra
\nsaid he was ready to meet Sinambela to discuss fielding Oka at
\nPON.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, KONI's secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw said the
\ncouncil would ask communication minister Agum Gumelar to grant a
\ndiscount on tickets for sea, land and air transportation to
\nrelieve the financial burden of about 10,000 athletes and
\nofficials from 25 provinces traveling to the Games.<\/p>\n
\"KONI will send a letter to the minister to ask for a discount
\nin order to help the provinces send their contingents,\" he said.
\n(ivy)<\/p>",
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