11 taekwondoins to train in S. Korea

SEMARANG (JP): Eleven taekwondoins from Central Java, along with four officials and coaches, will go on an overseas stint to South Korea for several weeks next month in preparation for the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya.

The official in charge of athlete development in the Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI), Alex Haryanto, said his office had received financial support from the Central Java sports council and some prominent local businessmen.

"The amount of money will be sufficient for funding our taekwondoins to train in South Korea for several weeks. Our athletes will face strong rivals from Jakarta, West Java and hosts East Java," he told The Jakarta Post.

However, he refused to mention the amount of the donation. He said his team wanted to improve their competitiveness and technical skills. "They will fight some South Korean national taekwondoins in Seoul and Taejon."

Alex said the taekwondoins would train together with their compatriots from Jakarta and West Java, who are also being groomed this month for PON.

Separately, the secretary-general of the Central Java chapter of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Toegimin, said the province would send national players, including Budi Santoso, Hariyanto Arbi, Antonius, Denny Kantono, Eng Hian and Hadi Kusuma to compete in the men's event in PON and Zelin Resiana, Etty Tantri, Cindana Hartono and Cahyaning in the women's event.

He said Central Java, Jakarta and West Java would make good rivals as the last two provinces also had national players in store.

"Central Java has targeted a minimum of two golds from the singles event, either in the men's or the women's. We've set a modest target because we will have to compete with the top shuttlers from Jakarta and West Java," he said. (har)