Weightlifting body declines an offer for U.S. training camp

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/11/2008 11:03 AM  |  Sports

Indonesian weightlifting coaches for the Olympic Games have rejected a recommendation by the National Sport Council (KONI) their athletes take part in a three-week training camp in the United States starting April 26.

Head coach Sori Enda Nasution said the proposed training, courtesy of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), would be of no use to his weightlifters because the Olympic Games in Beijing are only five months away.

"We have a limited time to practice and I think it is quite risky to join the training.

"The long journey to get there could waste the athletes' energy, and the training wouldn't guarantee that their quality would improve," he said Monday during an afternoon training session at the Senayan sports complex in Central Jakarta.

Mulyana, the KONI chief in charge of national training for the Olympic Games, said he regretted the decision not to train in the United States.

"It would really be a rare opportunity for them," he said, adding that he was still waiting for an official response from the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI).

Mulyana said KONI would facilitate the transportation and stipends for four male athletes and one coach, while the USOC would take care of accommodations, including meals.

Four Indonesian men have qualified for the weightlifting competition at the Olympic Games, and the country hopes to see at least one female athlete qualify through the Asian championships to be held in Komatsu, Japan, from April 27 to May 5.

"PABBSI suggested that they send junior athletes to take part in the training, but we can't do that because the invitation is just for Olympic athletes," Mulyana said.

Coach Sori Enda said the athletes were better off focusing on their training regime at home, although he admitted that he would love to go to America.

"Our target for the men's weightlifting is gold, but the athletes' concentration for the training is still not good enough right now. We can still join overseas training some time in the future," he said. (ind)

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