WI to hire Chinese coaches

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)