Gymnasts sent abroad prior to SEA Games
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)