Nine heads top list in Governor Cup

Zakki Hakim and Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Nine national swimmers, currently preparing with the Indonesian squad for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, head the list of top participants at the 19th Governor Cup Swimming Championships, according to the organizing committee.

The names of the nine were not released during a media conference here on Wednesday.

"We can't confirm the swimmers until we release the list tomorrow (Thursday)," said Gusti Ayu Made, spokesperson for the organizing committee.

Made said the nine swimmers would be among the 380 competing in the Governor Cup at the Bung Karno swimming pool, hosted by Tirta Taruna 66 Swimming Club.

"The Governor Cup is one of Jakarta's most prestigious swimming meets. The athletes use the event to test their current performance," he said, and that the meet would also provide an occasion to discover new swimming talents.

The meet is divided into three categories: Seniors, for swimmers 13 years old and above; Juniors, for those between 11 and 12 years old; and Beginners, for under 10 years of age.

All 18 swimming clubs associated with the Jakarta swimming body PRSI-Jakarta will be represented at the meet.

Governor Sutiyoso is scheduled to open the championship on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Besides the Governor Cup, trophies from the Jakarta Sports Council (KONI Jaya) will also be awarded to the best male and female swimmers. The KONI trophies are usually awarded to those who set new records, either nationally or in the Jakarta division.

The Governor Cup is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge.