Nearly 400 in Indonesia Open

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian amateur track and field association (PASI) will start its talent scouting program for several international meets next year, during the Indonesia Open championships scheduled here next week.

Some 390 athletes from 24 provinces will take part in the Sept. 7-9 track and field event at the Senayan Madya stadium. Australia, Sri Lanka and Singapore are also expected to compete.

Committee chairman Gurmilang Kartasasmita said on Thursday that West Sumatra, Riau and South Sumatra, had decided to skip the annual tourney. "PASI hopes that the upcoming event will serve also as a stepping-stone for each province in entering the National Games in 1997," he said.

Major events PASI is heading for next year include the World Track and Field Championships in Sweden, the Student Track and Field meet in Fukuoka, Japan, the 11th Asian Track and Field Championships here and the Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (amd)