Gymnasts call for overseas tryouts

Gymnasts call for overseas tryouts

JAKARTA (JP): The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games national
gymnasts are calling for more overseas tryouts in their training
program prior to the biennial sporting event in Kuala Lumpur in
September.

"The intensive training program will be meaningless without
overseas tryouts as we can't compare our performance with that of
gymnasts from other countries," said Jonathan Sianturi, who
grabbed five golds at the 1997 Jakarta Games, on Tuesday.

"If we can hire foreign coaches why can't we go abroad to gain
more experience and improve our form?"

The National Sports Council (KONI) signed on Tuesday contracts
with two Cuban coaches for the Indonesian Amateur Athletics
Association (PASI) and the Indonesian Gymnastics Association
(Pertina) respectively.

Rafael Figueroa Alcolea is to coach the men's gymnasts.

"Hiring foreign coaches is effective for longer training
programs. We only have two months before the Games, so it's
better if Persani or KONI send us for overseas stints," said
Jonathan, who will be competing in his eighth Games.

"I'm still waiting for my turn to go to Romania. Persani has
sent two women gymnasts abroad in cooperation with their
provincial administrations."

Lampung-based rhythmic gymnast Yulianti is in Moscow.
Meanwhile Oh Ze Ching of South Sumatra is in Bulgaria for his
advanced training sessions. Artistic gymnast Afrina of North
Sumatra will fly to Moscow later this month.

Alcolea shared Jonathan's view, saying the gymnasts needed to
participate in more competitions abroad.

"We can either send them abroad or invite gymnasts from other
countries here. What is important is that the gymnasts can see
other gymnasts' performance," he told The Jakarta Post.

"Most of them are young and unexperienced, except for
Jonathan. They must improve their skills and physical fitness."

Separately, KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar approved the
financing of seven national divers for a six-week training camp
in China.

The divers are Nasrullah, Husaini Nur and Syukur Zamzami in
the men's side and Eka Purnama, Herliana Dias, Nani Suryani and
Shenny Ratna Amelia in the women's side.

"I'm so happy that all team members can finally go to China.
We'll work hard to grab the two golds at stake with Shenny at the
tower, and Eka and Nani in tower synchronized diving," coach
Harly Ramayani said. (nvn)