Cycling track c'ships planned

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cycling Association will hold the national cycling track championships in Surakarta, Central Java, from May 20 to May 24. The velodrome, located in the Manahan sports complex, was recently inaugurated by President Soeharto.

It is reportedly the best sports complex outside Jakarta.

The association took over the staging of the championships, which is usually staged by Jakarta's Indonesian Journalists Association to commemorate national Press Day, due to the weakened position of the journalist body caused by the monetary crisis.

The organizer's chairman, Sofian Ruzian, told Antara that about 150 cyclists were expected to compete in the championships, which would offer Rp 20 million (US$20,000) in prize money. The championships are also to commemorate the cycling's body 42nd anniversary. (yan)