Perbakin yet to set medal target for KL SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): With only seven months to go, the Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin) is yet to set a medals target for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as it waits first to observe other countries' achievements.

"Perbakin can't make a projection yet although the National Sports Council (KONI) had asked us to name our target in the Games. We must consider other countries' shooters achievements," Perbakin's official in charge of target shooting Sita Razni told reporters on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Inter-club Shooting National Championships at the Bung Karno Shooting Range in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

"We must also monitor our athletes' results. If they can't improve their results, we may drop them from the squad."

"The target and core team will be decided after the evaluation of the Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Championships in Bangkok in July."

"Perbakin expects seven medals from rapid fire pistol and air pistol in the men's division. In the women's side, we hope to take medals in the air rifle match, sport pistol, sport rifle prone, air pistol, and trap and skeet events," Sita said.

"Actually we also targeted a medal from the women's double trap but the organizing committee decided to drop it."

The championships started on Wednesday and will finish on Sunday with 279 shooters from 43 clubs competing in nine men's and six women's events.

"The championships are a part our selection process. Currently we are grooming 31 shooters for the SEA Games at our training center," Sita said.

"The championships also serve to monitor shooters'achievements whether they come from clubs or Perbakin's chapters."

On the first day of the championships, Gunawan of Timor SC finished first after scoring 508 at the men's running target 30+30. Edi Purnama of Bimantara SC followed in second place with 492 and Masruri of Dewaruci SC was third with 480.

In the men's running target mixed run, Gunawan also proved his skill to take the top spot by scoring 327 points. Pujiono of Kartika SC was second with 321 points and Masruri third with 316 points.

Suparni of Dewaruci SC grabbed the title of the women's air rifle after scoring 483.7 followed by Nunung of East Java Police SC scoring 477.9 and Hanny V of Kartika SC with 477.

Putri Kalpika of Kartika SC overcame her opponents at the women's air rifle hunting event after scoring 287 points. She was followed by Ira of Aries SC with 262 points and Sally also of Aries SC with 210 points.

The organizing committee decided to drop the women's running target 20+20 as only one participant registered.

Shooters will take part in the men's air rifle match, men's air rifle hunting, men's rapid fire pistol and men's free pistol events on Thursday. (nvn)