RI gymnastics body eyes 5 SEAG golds

RI gymnastics body eyes 5 SEAG golds

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Gymnastics Association expects to
win five gold medals in the SEA Games (SEAG) to be staged here
next October.

Sri Hastuti Merdiko, the association's secretary-general, told
The Jakarta Post and Kompas yesterday that the country is still
relying on its hope on Jonathan Sianturi in the men's events and
Novi Kartiana Sari and Afrina Suryani Siahaan in the women's
events.

Indonesia, which only won two golds, one silver and four
bronzes in Chiang Mai, Thailand last year, is preparing eight
male and 10 female gymnasts and eight female rhythmic gymnasts.

In an effort to realize the goals, the federation is hiring
five Russian coaches, two of whom are already here, to coach the
national athletes.

"We need a choreographer who can also coach the athletes
because our athletes lack of choreographic skills," Hastuti,
nicknamed Tuti, said.

She added that national athletes often face psychological
problems in international events.

"They become very nervous because they don't have enough
experience in such events," she said.

However, the association is facing financial problems in
sending athletes abroad because much of the budget is used to
purchase equipment and to stage the centralized National Sports
Council training program, which started in January 1996 instead
of November 1996 as was initially planned.

Indonesia sees Thailand, which grabbed 20 gymnastics golds in
the last Games, and Malaysia as its toughest rivals in the SEA
Games.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is to apply new
rules, effective from Jan. 1, 1997, stating that each team
consists of six athletes while only five can compete and only
four are judged.

Another new rule is that all athletes taking part in the Asian
Games and the Olympics must be 16 years old. The reason is to
avoid injuries in athletes at a very young age.

"But it becomes a challenge for us because our athletes are
having problems with their school, friends and diet programs at
that age," Tuti said.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's junior athletes are not enjoying much
success in the SEAG Confederation competition, currently being
held in Manila.

Nelli Astuti was only able to grab bronze medals in the all-
round rhythmic event, hoop events and club event. Compatriot Oh
Ze Ching won bronzes in the rope and ribbon events. (yan)