Sutiyoso new chairman of shooting body

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso was elected chairman of the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association for the 1997- 2001 period at the body's national congress which ended Sunday.

Twenty-four provincial branches of the association agreed to Sutiyoso's nomination at the congress. Sutiyoso was the executive chairman from 1994 to 1997.

"Sutiyoso is the right person to chair the association. He's a part of the association so he doesn't have to start from scratch," said the former chairman Edi Sudradjat.

Sutiyoso had said earlier that he would not be available for the position due to his work as governor.

"I know that I'll be very busy as governor but I have to accept the election result and I have to be able to arrange my time for my work and the association," said Sutiyoso, who is also the Indonesian Basketball Association's executive director.

Sutiyoso has one month to organize his staff.

He said the association would face tough challenges because shooting offers many medals in multisports event.

In next December's Asian Games in Bangkok, Indonesia only has a realistic chance of winning one bronze, in the women's team trap event.

"We can say that our women are among the best shooters because they're in fourth position in the world and number two in Asia after China now," he said.

The association will recruit two Chinese coaches as part of its preparation to groom athletes for the Asiad.

Antara reported that the association also handed over bonuses to 40 19th SEA Games medalists at the congress' closing.

The gold medalists received Rp 1.5 million (US$260), the silver medalists received Rp 1 million and the bronze medalists received Rp 500,000. (yan)