Central Java eyes win at Tri Lomba Juang race

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Central Java is now eying a clean sweep at the Tri Lomba Juang race after the province's 50- man team won the race's 17km cross-country event on Sunday.

"We are optimistic about taking the overall title again," head coach Soebagyo told reporters yesterday morning after seeing off his on an eight-kilometer running competition, which began at the site of the former Kemayoran airport.

The Central Java team won the 1990 event and collected Rp 175 million to help finance the winner's sports development.

"The 50 athletes we are fielding are our best. They were shortlisted out of 350," Soebagyo added. But he won't belittle his toughest competitors -- West Java, East Java, North Sulawesi and South Sulawesi -- which finished second, third, fourth and fifth respectively at Sunday's cross country event.

"I believe they (the toughest competitors) have been well- prepared for this race. Besides, it's difficult to figure out their strength because we meet only once every five years."

Today, the race is featuring a 45km walk starting from the Senayan East Parking lot.

The three-day race, which was inaugurated in 1980, is held once every five years. The race, in which all the country's 27 provinces are taking part, was opened by President Soeharto on Sunday at the Sentul Circuit, West Java, and is due to end today.

The competition is a team event consisting of a 17-kilometer cross-country race, an eight-kilometer run and a 45-kilometer walk. The figures indicate the date, month and year (Aug. 17, 1945) when the founding fathers of Indonesia, the late president Soekarno and vice president Mohammad Hatta, declared Indonesia's independence.

A severe test of physical endurance and stamina, this traditional three-part race has two objectives: to revive the 1945 patriotic spirit and unflinching enthusiasm for independence from colonial rule and to solidify national resilience.

While competing in an event, no team is allowed to replace its members. Scoring is mainly based on the team's unity, spirit of belonging and togetherness and ability to arrive at the prescribed time. (arf)