Purnomo to return to Asiad as manager<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian top sprinter Purnomo in the 1980s will make a
\ncomeback at the Asian Games next year after the country's amateur
\nathletics body, PASI, named him the project manager for its
\ncampaign at the quadrennial event.<\/p>\n
PASI secretary-general Tigor Tanjung said on Friday that
\nPurnomo's inclusion in the team was expected to help reach the
\ncountry's medal-winning target.<\/p>\n
\"PASI picked Purnomo because of his extensive experience as an
\nathlete. Technically speaking, he knows how to handle athletes,\"
\nTigor said.<\/p>\n
Purnomo also deserves the position due to his management
\nskill, according to Tigor.<\/p>\n
Purnomo, who was a 100-meter semifinalist at the 1984 Olympic
\nGames in Los Angeles together with Ben Johnson of Canada, chairs
\nthe athletes commission at PASI.<\/p>\n
Currently, he is the sports marketing manager for PT Berca
\nSportindo, the license holder of Nike sports equipment.<\/p>\n
Tigor, however, admitted that PASI had yet to formalize
\nPurnomo's appointment.<\/p>\n
\"The important thing is that Purnomo has accepted his
\nappointment and we have been discussing how to prepare the
\nathletes,\" Tigor said.<\/p>\n
Purnomo said he appreciated PASI's trust in him, but
\nacknowledged the herculean tasks he will be taking on.<\/p>\n
\"As a former athlete, it is an honor as well as a challenge. I
\naccepted it because I feel responsible for the declining success
\nof our athletics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"But I cannot reveal my program yet because I still have to
\ndiscuss technical matters with the coaches and PASI's athlete
\ndevelopment department.\"<\/p>\n
\"One thing is for sure, I will do my best to make the athletes
\nfeel comfortable during training so they can concentrate on
\nachieving their best.\"<\/p>\n
In next year's Asiad, the national squad will be without
\nmiddle-distance runner Supriati Sutono, who won Indonesia's first
\nathletics gold medal in 36 years at the last event in Bangkok
\nthree years ago.<\/p>\n
Last month, PASI summoned three women athletes -- pole vaulter
\nNi Putu Desi Margawati, hammer thrower Yurita Ariyani and
\nsprinter Irene Truitje Joseph -- to start training for the Asiad.<\/p>\n
Separately, PASI official in charge of athletes' development,
\nRia Lumintuarso, admitted that Indonesian athletes had to work
\nhard to win medals at the Asiad, which will be held in Pusan,
\nSouth Korea next September.<\/p>\n
\"Desi, for example, has a personal best of 4.00 meters while
\nAsian pole vaulters jump between 4.20 meters and 4.40 meters.
\nMeanwhile, Yurita has thrown some 50 meters, which is still
\nbehind Asian throwers who manage between 56 meters and 60
\nmeters.\"<\/p>\n
\"But I believe nine months of training is enough to boost
\ntheir performance. Desi, for example, is using a new, longer pole
\nthat enables her to leap over 4.20 meters,\" he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/purnomo-to-return-to-asiad-as-manager-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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