PASI zeros in on sprint, hurdles and walking

PASI zeros in on sprint, hurdles and walking

JAKARTA (JP): The newly reelected chairman of the Indonesian
Amateur Athletics Association (PASI), Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, told a
media conference on Monday that the organization would likely
focus its attention on sprint, hurdles and walking events to
boost local athletes' performance in the future.

"I think we can develop our athletes form in these events but
we will have to study the training methods and coaching
seriously. We will also work together with the medical commission
to seek young talent with an ideal anatomy for the three events,"
he said during the announcement of PASI new officials for the
1999-2003 term.

Mohamad was responding to critics calling the track and field
athletes in poor form in the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
Brunei Darussalam, as they won five golds.

The five golds came from Irene Truitje Joseph in the women's
100 meters, Supriati Sutono in the women's 1,500 and 5,000
meters, Nunung Jayadi in the men's pole vault and Ponsianus Kahol
in the men's javelin throw.

Hasan said PASI would stage a shortened schedule of regular
track and field competitions from four days with 46 events to two
days with 12 events, following a similar move by the European
Grand Prix series.

"We have started staging running events in some provincial
chapters and motivating them to keep doing it by providing
scholarships as an initiative for finalists," he said.

Muara Bungo regency in Jambi and Cepu regency in Central Java
were named as chapters which had conducted the competitions.

An official in charge of the sprint and hurdles commission,
Bambang Wahjudi, said that PASI would have to consolidate
potential athletes in chapters, clubs and student training
centers all over the country in both events.

"We have three top sprinters with Irene on the women's side
and Yanis Raubaba and John Murray on the men's. Hopefully, our
athletes in chapters, clubs and centers can follow their steps
through the national competitions," he said.

Hasan said national athletes would be allowed to compete in
the 15th National Games in Surabaya in June as long as they
compete in their speciality.

"But coaches and athletes must be aware that we are facing the
Asian Championships here in August and the Olympics in Sydney in
September."

Mohamad also named PASI officials in 15 commissions comprising
athlete development, talent recruitment, referees and
competition, medical treatment, sprinting and hurdles, middle-
distance and long-distance running and walking, jumping and
throwing, athlete affairs, women athletes, marketing, media and
TV, coaching, facilities, education and courses and data.

The National Sports Council (KONI) official in charge of
athletes development, Mochammad Hindarto, told reporters on
Monday that KONI's Sports Science Commission (KIOR) would stage
some physical tests for athletes who qualified for the Olympics.

Hindarto said he would request KONI to use his department
budget of Rp 700 million (US$98,600) to stage the 10 field and
five laboratory tests.

He emphasized that all sports, which athletes have qualified
for, must start their training program for the Olympics by Feb. 1
at the latest.

Indonesia has 14 athletes who have qualified for archery,
swimming and diving, tae kwon do, track and field, weightlifting
and windsurfing. Some 20 badminton players are also expected to
qualify for the Olympics. (yan)