Jonathan relishes coaching role

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian gymnastics star Jonathan Sianturi, who says he wants to resign as an athlete in 2004, now has double duties as a player and a coach.

The 31-year-old gymnast has been included on the new executive board of the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani) with the task of transferring his gymnastics expertise to younger gymnasts.

The coaching task must have consequences, of which Jonathan is well aware.

He may not be able to focus on training as much before the 2003 SEA Games, a biennial multi-event sporting showcase among the Southeast Asian nations.

"Everything we undertake has consequences. I will have to reduce my training, especially in the disciplines where I don't have good prospects in competition," Jonathan said.

He said that he would continue to allocate lots of time and train hard in four disciplines of gymnastics where he should have medal prospects, but he refused to name them.

"While training I'll give the younger guys some tips. I'm curious about that. This is a form of responsibility for me. This is a form of my service to the country's sports," he said after the inauguration of the Persani board at the National Sports Council (KONI) here on Wednesday.

Jonathan has many gold medals for Indonesia at the SEA Games. After winning a silver in his 1985 debut, he upped his performance to win in almost every edition of the games he participated until 2001 in Malaysia.

The 1991 appearance was the only exception when he had to crash out injured.

While he relishes being praised for his sporting contributions to the country, Jonathan could not hide his dismay at Persani's inability to generate other gymnasts of his ability.

"There is a lack of standardized training facilities and a poor technical department in our country," Jonathan said, while adding that was the major factor impeding regeneration.

"A good foreign coach is important but the most important is that his presence should be optimally used for the need of skills transfer to the locals," he said.

The new Persani board for the 2002-2006 period is now led by Zulkifli Nurdin. The governor of Jambi province takes over the post from convicted corruptor Mohammad "Bob" Hasan, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence.