Central Java eyes win at Tri Lomba Juang race
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)