Archers' training off target

JAKARTA (JP): The female archery squad's discord is only a misperception between the archers and their coach, according to the SEA Games team archery training director.

Udi Harsono said Monday the dispute had arisen because the archers' training programs were inconsistent.

"The archers even see there is no standardization of training programs at all. They wanted clarification on this matter," Udi said after meeting Wismoyo Arismunandar, the chairman of the National Sports Council.

Udi said the problems began when five archers sent a letter to the Indonesian Archery Association saying they did not want to be coached by Donald Pandiangan.

The archers said Donald was too demanding and did not communicate during training at Cinere, South Jakarta.

Yuliasih, Purnaman Pandiangan, Dahliana, Lucia Elizabeth and Dwi Novita signed the letter.

Donald has not attended training since.

Udi said that he was seeking a compromise to solve the dispute by combining the archers' ideas with the coach's program.

"We will try to find a solution to the conflict in a persuasive manner. I will give Donald a chance to give his point of view," Udi said.

With Donald absent from training, Daniel Lumesil has taken over as coach.

Udi said that, although there were still problems, training would go ahead as planned. "We will hold a meeting with the association and find a way to solve the conflict."

Wismoyo asked that the problems be solved quickly so that the training program would not be disrupted.

The female archers are favorites for gold medals at the SEA Games in October. In the 1995 Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the female archers grabbed two gold medals. (lnt)