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)