World class runners take part in BHIM

JAKARTA (JP): American Maurice Green heads a list of thirty world ranked runners in the Bob Hasan Invitational Meet (BHIM) at Senayan Madya stadium on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20.

Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association chief Bob Hasan said Tuesday that most of the foreign runners had also competed in the world athletics championships in Athens, Greece.

Some of the other foreign runners are Michael Green (Jamaica), Rodger Kingdom (U.S.), and Emma George (Australia).

Maurice is the 100 meters world champion, Michael is the world 60-meter silver medalist, Rodger is the 1984 and 1988 Olympic gold medalist, and Emma is the women's world pole vault record holder.

"We have also invited Susanthika Jayasinghe from Sri Lanka, the world silver medalist in the 200 meters," Bob said.

Bob is also president of the Asian Amateur Athletics Federation.

Bob, who is sponsoring the event, said that 38 foreign athletes had registered as of Tuesday.

Indonesia, he said, would be represented by 25 men and women.

"We expect the event will encourage local runners to acquire some international experience. Not only do local runners become winners in South East Asia, but they also win in worldwide events," he said.

A day before the BHIM, the association will hold a 100-meter race for junior and high school students. Scholarships to a total of Rp 1 billion are at stake.

"We want to promote the 100-meter race since it is the basic start for other races," he said.

He hopes the Rp 1 billion race will discover new sprinters and improve other 100-meter races in the regions.

Each province can send two men and two women runners under 19 years old for this event.

"The winner and eight runners up will each receive a five year scholarship." (lnt)