WI to hire Chinese coaches

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Wushu Association (WI) Jakarta chapter will hire four Chinese coaches to boost its athletes' performances in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya next year.

WI chairman, Tono Suratman, said on Thursday the Chinese coaches, who each will receive a US$2,000 monthly salary, were expected to give brief courses to local athletes and coaches in the organization's short-term programs.

"We hope WI can continue the plan for a long-term program to improve our athletes' form in the future," said Tono, a one-star general who is also the deputy spokesman of the Indonesian Military (TNI), after installing WI's Jakarta chapter officials.

Tono expressed hope that the Chinese coaches could help the chapter grab more golds in the Games than the Central Java or East Java chapters.

The former East Timor Military District commander expressed optimism that the chapter would be able to build its own training center in the capital.

The Jakarta chapter will organize 60 wushu clubs here, although only 22 of them are registered and active in developing athletes.

Jakarta's potential wushu athletes include Susiana, Herman Wijaya and Albert Maweru.

The three athletes failed to compete in the Wushu World Championships in Hong Kong earlier this month due to financial reasons.

Tono said the chapter would not have to worry about funding its activities because the new officials had given their commitment to develop the sport.

"The new officials are ready to sacrifice anything because some have bonded with the athletes while others are former wushu athletes," he said.

"Just two days after the new board of executives was set up, we received enough money to finance our routine expenses for four years, which includes paying the lease on our secretariat at the Senayan sports complex and sending our athletes overseas," he added.

The chapter will also organize the Chinese barongsay (traditional dance) clubs throughout the city and popularize it for tourism. Barongsay was banned under former president Soeharto's government.

"Barongsay will be performed at the airport. We will cooperate with airline companies, especially Thai Airways International or Singapore Airlines, to attract tourists," he said.

There are currently 13 barongsay clubs here which are registered with the Jakarta chapter. (ivy)