RI gymnastics body eyes 5 SEAG golds<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Gymnastics Association expects to
\nwin five gold medals in the SEA Games (SEAG) to be staged here
\nnext October.<\/p>\n
Sri Hastuti Merdiko, the association's secretary-general, told
\nThe Jakarta Post and Kompas yesterday that the country is still
\nrelying on its hope on Jonathan Sianturi in the men's events and
\nNovi Kartiana Sari and Afrina Suryani Siahaan in the women's
\nevents.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, which only won two golds, one silver and four
\nbronzes in Chiang Mai, Thailand last year, is preparing eight
\nmale and 10 female gymnasts and eight female rhythmic gymnasts.<\/p>\n
In an effort to realize the goals, the federation is hiring
\nfive Russian coaches, two of whom are already here, to coach the
\nnational athletes.<\/p>\n
\"We need a choreographer who can also coach the athletes
\nbecause our athletes lack of choreographic skills,\" Hastuti,
\nnicknamed Tuti, said.<\/p>\n
She added that national athletes often face psychological
\nproblems in international events.<\/p>\n
\"They become very nervous because they don't have enough
\nexperience in such events,\" she said.<\/p>\n
However, the association is facing financial problems in
\nsending athletes abroad because much of the budget is used to
\npurchase equipment and to stage the centralized National Sports
\nCouncil training program, which started in January 1996 instead
\nof November 1996 as was initially planned.<\/p>\n
Indonesia sees Thailand, which grabbed 20 gymnastics golds in
\nthe last Games, and Malaysia as its toughest rivals in the SEA
\nGames.<\/p>\n
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is to apply new
\nrules, effective from Jan. 1, 1997, stating that each team
\nconsists of six athletes while only five can compete and only
\nfour are judged.<\/p>\n
Another new rule is that all athletes taking part in the Asian
\nGames and the Olympics must be 16 years old. The reason is to
\navoid injuries in athletes at a very young age.<\/p>\n
\"But it becomes a challenge for us because our athletes are
\nhaving problems with their school, friends and diet programs at
\nthat age,\" Tuti said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indonesia's junior athletes are not enjoying much
\nsuccess in the SEAG Confederation competition, currently being
\nheld in Manila.<\/p>\n
Nelli Astuti was only able to grab bronze medals in the all-
\nround rhythmic event, hoop events and club event. Compatriot Oh
\nZe Ching won bronzes in the rope and ribbon events. (yan)<\/p>",
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