Indonesia to send four women to Asian Shooting C'ships

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin) will send four women shooters to compete in the Asian Shooting Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia, next week.

The association official in charge of target shooting, Sita Razni, said on Tuesday the goal was for its athletes to improve the national records.

"The national record for the air rifle is 393 by Suparni. We hope she can narrow the gap between her personal best and the world record of 399 by a Chinese shooter," she said.

"We also hope Bari Agustini can improve her best of 572 in the sports pistol in the championships."

Suparni set her record in the national interclub championships in Palembang, South Sumatra, in September while Bari earned her best in the Kapolri (National Police Chief) Cup Championships in Jakarta in August.

Suparni, Gusti Ayu Indradewi and Yuniarti will compete in the individual and team air rifle match events while Bari will perform in air pistol and sports pistol.

Sita said China and former Soviet confederation countries would be tough rivals in the championships.

"In the Southeast Asia region, we can say we have fewer rivals. But the Chinese shooter holds the world record while ex- Soviet confederation athletes are also good. We are not aiming for medals but we want them to know how good we are compared to those countries' athletes," she said after a meeting with National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, the Olympics and Southeast Asian Games training director Arie Sudewo and other KONI officials.

During the meeting, Sita complained about the high price of weapons and bullets for long-term training.

"We have requested a cut in the import tax from the Ministry of Finance, but they turned down our request because they still consider shooting to be a luxury sport. It's a classic problem but we have difficulties to overcome it. It's difficult to provide new weapons and bullets for training and competition as they are very expensive," she said.

Wismoyo said KONI would set up a special team to meet finance minister Bambang Sudibyo and the director general of tax Anshari Ritonga.

"Hopefully, we can urge the ministry to excise tax for the sake of national sports development. With a lower price of sports equipment, it will be easier for sports organizations to hold training for national athletes," he said. (yan)