FPTI prepares climbers for PON

FPTI prepares climbers for PON

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Climbing Federation (FPTI) is
preparing its athletes for the 2000 National Games (PON), the
first Games to feature climbing events.

FPTI's new chairman, Maj. Gen. Syahrir MS, said climbers from
24 regional chapters were currently training for the Games, which
will be held in Surabaya, East Java. He said twelve climbing
events would be contested in the Games.

Syahrir, who is the chief of the Army's Special Force
(Kopassus), said the federation would also arrange the rankings
of the national climbers.

"We will pick athletes for international tournaments according
to their national rankings," he said after being installed as
FPTI chairman at the National Sports Council office here on
Wednesday.

Syahrir replaces F. Hendricus Mutter and will hold the
federation's chairmanship for three years.

He said four national climbers -- Eta Hendrawati, Yuyun
Yuniar, Ronald Novar Marimbing and Pandji -- would take part in
the Asian Climbing Championship in China on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.
(ivy)