RI gears up to host World Archery C'ships
RI gears up to host World Archery C'ships
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's preparations for its hosting of the World Archery Championships are reaching full swing, the new chairman of the Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani), Oetojo Oesman said yesterday.
"Training equipment as well as electrical measuring devices are ready. As for the field and its supporting facilities, we're preparing them by stages," he said.
The World Archery Championships are scheduled to take place in Jakarta between Aug. 1 and Aug. 6.
Oetojo, who is also the Minister of Justice, was speaking after being officially inducted as new Perpani chairman by Wismoyo Arismunandar, the chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), yesterday.
He estimated that Perpani would need an annual budget of Rp 1.25 billion (US$550,000) to promote archery in Indonesia.
Indonesian women archers' greatest achievement was winning the silver medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1986.
Perpani deputy secretary, Udi Harsono, said 168 contestants from 11 countries had signed up for the world meet. He added that registration would be closed by July.
The 11 countries include Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, England, Norway, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Russia. Germany may compete in the championships, he said, but had yet to submit an entry list.
The world archery controlling body, FITA, has decided that the Jakarta archery event will serve as the qualifying round for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
"Sixty percent of archers who will eligible for the Atlanta Olympics will qualify in these world championships. Thirty percent will be selected through continental championships, such as the Asia Archery Championships scheduled for late March to early April in Bangkok next year," said Udi. The other 10 percent would be selected by wild card entry, he added.
The organizers have estimated they will need about Rp 2 billion (US$907,852) to hold the event. "We are trying to secure the funds through sponsorship," Udi said.
Perpani has been intensively grooming 10 male and 10 female archers since January. They are being trained, not only for the world championships, but also for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. (arf)