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)