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)