Gymnasts sent abroad prior to SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani) has sent three of its gymnasts to take part in several competitions abroad in their build-up to the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"We've sent men's artistic gymnasts Jonathan Sianturi and Lulu Manurung to the World Championships from Aug. 8 until Aug. 12 in Istanbul," gymnastics project manager Sujihadi Reksowirejo told reporters on Monday.

"We also sent women's gymnast Jumaiyah, who specializes in the rhythmic event, to a tournament in Malaysia which ended on Monday. We expect her to return home by tomorrow (Tuesday)," he added.

Indonesia has set its sight on winning five out of the 21 gold medals on offer in the SEA Games.

The national women's gymnasts in the artistic and rhythmic events have undergone a series of overseas stints in several East European countries. Persani funded the training expenses in collaboration with the respective home provinces of the athletes.

Julianti of Lampung will return home this week after undergoing training in Moscow, while Oh Zhe Ching is expected to come home next week after her stint in Bulgaria. Both gymnasts are rhythmic specialists.

Artistic specialists Afrian Siahaan and Sukma Anggraini are now in Moscow with coach Biasworo Suryanto. They will return home later this month.

Persani had originally planned to send Jonathan to Bucharest, but this was canceled due to financial constraints.

"We managed only to secure Rp 10 million (US$1,000) from the Jakarta branch of the National Sports Council (KONI). Persani was too late in seeking additional funding from KONI," Sujihadi said.

Jonathan has continued training at home under the tutelage of Cuban coach Rafael Figueroa Alcolea.

The aborted plan disappointed Jonathan, who slammed Persani a perceived lack of openness.

"I will do my best with or without any training program abroad. But I expect Persani officials to discuss any problems with me directly," he said. (nvn)