PON host urged to upgrade HRD

PON host urged to upgrade HRD

JAKARTA: Human resources is what the National Sports Council
(KONI) is mostly concerned with as South Sumatra gears up for its
role as host for the 2004 National Sports Championship.

"Preparation seems to be working as planned. Except for the
main stadium and two indoor halls, the other venues have
completed construction, including the lift-up works," Moh.
Hindarto, KONI's official in charge of development, told a press
conference here on Wednesday.

"One thing that needs upgrading are human resources. This is
essential when we talk about how they should be pushed toward
organizing the event well," he said, adding that he had told the
organizers to consult KONI and 2000 host Surabaya.

It will be the first time in four decades that the quadrennial
sporting event has ever been staged outside Java. Hindarto said
there were probably going to be around 32 events, but the
decision will not be sealed until after a consultation meeting is
held early next year. --JP

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Briefs-NBA-Wizards
Wizards trade Alexander to Hornets
JP/11/Brief

Wizards trade Alexander to Hornets

WASHINGTON: The Washington Wizards traded shooting guard
Courtney Alexander to the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday for the
17th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Washington now has two first round selections in Wednesday's
draft, adding to the 11th overall pick the team already owned.
The Wizards also have a pair of second round selections, the 39th
and 40th overall picks.

"Although we gave up a talented player in Courtney Alexander,
we are excited to add another first round selection," said
general manager Wes Unseld. --Reuters

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Briefs-NHL-Hasek

Hasek ends career after Cup triumph
JP/11/Brief

Hasek ends career after Cup triumph

DETROIT, Michigan: Detroit Red Wings netminder Dominik Hasek,
who led the Czech Republic to the Olympic title at the 1998
Nagano Winter Games, announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Hasek capped off his NHL career by leading the Red Wings to
the Stanley Cup two weeks ago.

"I made the commitment to come here a year ago with the goal
of winning the Cup, nothing more, nothing less," said Hasek,
turning down US$8 million to play one more season.

"After 21 years of playing professional hockey at the highest
level I did not feel I had enough fire to compete at the level I
expect for myself.

"I want to spend more time with my family." --Reuters

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Briefs-Tennis-complaint
WTA complains to 'BBC' over interview
JP/11/Brief

WTA complains to 'BBC' over interview

LONDON: Womens' Tennis Association (WTA) officials on Tuesday
lodged a complaint with the BBC over its showing of an interview
in which Russian pin-up Anna Kournikova threw a tantrum.

The 21-year-old, who has never won a WTA tournament, was
beaten on the opening day of this year's Wimbledon in three sets
by compatriot Tatiana Panova and then threw a tantrum during an
interview with the BBC's Garry Richardson.

When Richardson suggested that Kournikova's confidence must be
low after yet another defeat and asked about suggestions by
former star Chris Evert that she should drop down a level to
rediscover her form, the Russian threatened to walk out of a live
interview and then requested that it be restarted.

Kournikova sat down again and the interview resumed but the
BBC showed it in full and repeated it several times during the
evening as if it were live. --AFP