Weight lifters to hold centralized training
Weight lifters to hold centralized training
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weight lifting, Power lifting and
Bodybuilding Association is due to stage a centralized training
program next month in preparation for the 19th Southeast Asian
Games here next year.
Association secretary-general Djoko Pramono said yesterday
that the organization has to start the program on Dec. 1 because
of financial problems. Other sports started similar training
programs on Nov. 1.
"We haven't received the training fund from the National
Sports Council and so haven't called athletes for the program,"
Djoko said.
"The funding decision will be made tomorrow," he added.
The association has selected 48 athletes, mostly winners at
the last National Games, for the program in the Puncak mountain
resort, West Java. Olympian Hari Setiawan and Junior World
Champion Sri Indriyani are among those due to attend.
Djoko said that the association had initially planned to stage
a decentralized program until March.
"It's not that we doubt our coaches' quality but we want to
see an improvement at the Games," he said.
A Bulgarian coach, Nedelcho Kolev, has been hired by the
association to prepare 24 lifters, to be selected from the 48
called up by the association, for the Games. The association is
aiming for a clean sweep of the 19 golds on offer.
"That's our goal. Every country, especially Thailand, also
intends to win all the golds. It's a tough challenge for us to
meet," Djoko said.
Indonesia won seven gold, seven silver and three bronze medals
at the last Games, while Thailand grabbed 10 golds, six silvers
and one bronze.
"We didn't have a foreign coach for the last Games but this
time we want our coaches to learn lessons," he said.
The association is counting on Kolev, former World Champion in
1973-1994, to improve Indonesian athletes' performances. Kolev,
who coached the Bulgarian national team three times, is currently
training Indian lifters and used to coach in Turkey.
"If the foreign coach can bring victory to our squad then
we'll probably contract him for the Asian Games," he said.
Djoko said that the association is still considering a
centralized training program for bodybuilders.
"We are looking for a fitness center which is willing to
accommodate our athletes," he said.
Indonesia's backbone Ade Ray, the 7th Asian Pro-Am Classic
Bodybuilding Championships winner, is likely to participate in
the Games although previously the association decided not to
feature the 90 kilograms and above category in the Games.
"We are trying to feature the 80 kgs and above class in the
Games so Ade Ray would be able to compete," he said. (yan)