KONI needs to develop more young athletes

KONI needs to develop more young athletes

JAKARTA (JP): In its effort to improve athletes performances
and reach higher levels of achievement in international
competitions, the Indonesian Sports Council (KONI) needs to
develop more young athletes and set priorities on sports featured
in the multi-sport events.

KONI's deputy in charge of athletes development, I Gusti
Kompyang Manila, told reporters Thursday: "Indonesia must send
more young athletes to international tournaments to allow them to
gain more experience. It will enhance their skills. We shouldn't
be discouraged by poor results."

"They will be at their peaks in another three or four years.
Therefore, a good training program for each athlete is necessary
to reach our goal," said Manila, in his first face-to-face with
reporters after being installed as the deputy.

"Indonesia must set clear targets for its athletes at the
biennial SEA Games and the quadrennial Asian Games (Asiad) and
Olympics. The ultimate goal is to see our athletes achieve their
top performances in the Olympics."

"We should not be worried if our youngsters perform poorly in
the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. Some of them can still be
prepared for the 2002 Pusan Asiad and the 2003 SEA Games before
competing in the 2004 Athens Olympics."

"The most important thing is we know what we do and where we
want to go."

Manila said KONI should set up priorities on sports to be
staged in the three multi-sport events.

"It's very important to give top priority to Olympic sports as
it will save energy and money. Those sports will also be featured
in other multi-sport events. We must increase our athletes'
achievements in those sports."

"As for traditional and regional sports, we can focus
development on Asiad or Southeast Asian region or even national
championships."

Manila also hoped that badminton players, as the country's
best hope, should retain and improve their performance in
upcoming events.

"Archers and weightlifters must also improve performances as
the sports have grabbed silver and bronze medals in Olympics. In
the next four years, they must be able to bring home golds."

Indonesia has won gold medals from badminton since it was
officially featured for the first time in the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics. While national archers presented the first medal for
Indonesia in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. A trio female archers
brought home the silver.

Three women's weightlifters had their debut in the 2000 Sydney
Olympics and impressively brought home one silver and two
bronzes.

Manila said a scientific approach to training and
technological improvements are needed to achieve the goals.

"It's also important to improve coaches' qualifications and
skills." (nvn)