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)