Quota issue delays shooters entry for PON

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 06/27/2008 10:06 AM | Sports

A plethora of shooters wanting to participate in the 17th National Games (PON) in East Kalimantan next month has led to disagreements between the ruling sports authorities.

Ngatino, the National Sports Committee's (KONI) vice chairman for athletes' registration, said Thursday the Indonesian Shooting Association (Perbakin) had asked his office to allow 178 shooters to register and participate in the tournament.

"However, we can only include 140 shooters for PON. This is clearly stipulated in the 2008 KONI decree," he said.

He said the meeting between KONI and Perbakin had been adjourned with no headway made. The tournament will begin on July 5 and run until July 17.

"We will discuss this matter again and hopefully reach an agreement by Friday," he said.

Indra Wargadalem, Perbakin's vice chairman for athletes' participation, said his organization would press KONI to permit all 178 shooters into the games.

"I hope KONI will not force us to point out they're planning 32 shooting events. Because their precious decree clearly stipulates only 30 shooting events will be held at PON," he said.

He said Perbakin had increased the number of shooters for the tournament in response to the addition of the two extra events.

"It will be unfair of KONI not to grant our demand because shooting is a promising sport," he said.

Indra said Perbakin's top athletes at PON could go on to qualify for international events such as the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympic Games.

"Besides, shooting has a growing number of fans and I hope many people will watch the matches," he said.

Hermain Okol, deputy head of daily activities for PON's organizing committee, said the committee would not intervene in the matter.

"We hope both KONI and Perbakin can solve the matter promptly because PON will begin in a just over a week and registration has not been finalized," he said.

He said the shooting venues in Balikpapan were already complete.

"The shooting events will begin on July 9, and we are ready to host them," he said.

Hermain added the venues and preparations for all 43 sports disciplines at PON, featuring 6,658 athletes from 33 provinces, were ready for competition. (ewd)

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