Purnomo to return to Asiad as manager

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian top sprinter Purnomo in the 1980s will make a comeback at the Asian Games next year after the country's amateur athletics body, PASI, named him the project manager for its campaign at the quadrennial event.

PASI secretary-general Tigor Tanjung said on Friday that Purnomo's inclusion in the team was expected to help reach the country's medal-winning target.

"PASI picked Purnomo because of his extensive experience as an athlete. Technically speaking, he knows how to handle athletes," Tigor said.

Purnomo also deserves the position due to his management skill, according to Tigor.

Purnomo, who was a 100-meter semifinalist at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles together with Ben Johnson of Canada, chairs the athletes commission at PASI.

Currently, he is the sports marketing manager for PT Berca Sportindo, the license holder of Nike sports equipment.

Tigor, however, admitted that PASI had yet to formalize Purnomo's appointment.

"The important thing is that Purnomo has accepted his appointment and we have been discussing how to prepare the athletes," Tigor said.

Purnomo said he appreciated PASI's trust in him, but acknowledged the herculean tasks he will be taking on.

"As a former athlete, it is an honor as well as a challenge. I accepted it because I feel responsible for the declining success of our athletics," he said.

"But I cannot reveal my program yet because I still have to discuss technical matters with the coaches and PASI's athlete development department."

"One thing is for sure, I will do my best to make the athletes feel comfortable during training so they can concentrate on achieving their best."

In next year's Asiad, the national squad will be without middle-distance runner Supriati Sutono, who won Indonesia's first athletics gold medal in 36 years at the last event in Bangkok three years ago.

Last month, PASI summoned three women athletes -- pole vaulter Ni Putu Desi Margawati, hammer thrower Yurita Ariyani and sprinter Irene Truitje Joseph -- to start training for the Asiad.

Separately, PASI official in charge of athletes' development, Ria Lumintuarso, admitted that Indonesian athletes had to work hard to win medals at the Asiad, which will be held in Pusan, South Korea next September.

"Desi, for example, has a personal best of 4.00 meters while Asian pole vaulters jump between 4.20 meters and 4.40 meters. Meanwhile, Yurita has thrown some 50 meters, which is still behind Asian throwers who manage between 56 meters and 60 meters."

"But I believe nine months of training is enough to boost their performance. Desi, for example, is using a new, longer pole that enables her to leap over 4.20 meters," he added.