Habibie to watch junior rowing meet

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie is scheduled to be among the spectators at the national junior rowing championship at Manado Bay in North Sulawesi next week, an Indonesian Rowing Association (PODSI) executive said Wednesday.

PODSI secretary-general Budiman Setiawan said on Wednesday that Habibie would watch the regatta being held as part of the International Maritime Year festivities.

The President is to initiate the year-long commemoration in the North Sulawesi capital on Sept. 26, Antara reported.

Budiman said Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Widodo AS would open the junior rowing championships, which are being held together with the KASAL Cup water sports tournament from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29.

A total of 119 boys and 77 girls under 18 years old from 14 provinces will take part in the five-day meet. They will compete in junior rowing, under 15 rowing, junior canoeing and under 15 canoeing.

The junior and under 15 rowing will each feature 1,200-meter single sculls, 1,200m double sculls, and 2,500m boys and girls indoor rowing.

The junior canoeing will consist of 1,500m kayak and 2,500m boys Canadian categories while the under 15 canoeing will comprise 2,500m boys and girls kayaking.

PODSI's Southeast Sulawesi chief Ridwan said in Kendari that East Java had offered Rp 900 million for the transfer of 12 of his top rowers.

"We are trying to convince Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin to accept the offer," Ridwan said. He said the rowers had asked the governor to allow them to leave the province for East Java but to no avail.

Ridwan said the rowers complained about their province's poor training facilities. "East Java is prepared to provide them better facilities," said Ridwan.

The East Java capital of Surabaya is to host the 14th National Games in 2000. (lnt)