Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - South Kalimantan targets to grab 18 gold medals in the 19th National Games (PON) in West Java, a local KONI official said.
"In the last Pre-PON 121 of our athletes won medals, so the target of 18 gold medals in 2016 PON very realistic I guess," said Vice Chairman of the South Kalimantan branch of National Sports Committee (KONI) Mohammad Welny in Banjarmasin, Saturday.
South Kalimantan will take part in 34 sports at the 2016 PON that will be staged in Bandung, West Java, while its athletes continue their training camp today.
"We planned to bring about 300 athletes to compete in the 2016 PON later. Not only 121 mainstay athletes, but non-medal athlete are expected to fight it out showed their skills," said Welny.
He stated, South Kalimantan targeting the 18 sports will give much chance later in the PON, including gold medals target from wrestling, jumping beautiful, and shooting.
To finalize the athletes, he said, KONI will give try out by sending them to practice abroad. Especially to countries of each sport orientation.
"Then the athletes are very prepared for West Java PON and this is supported by the local government," he said.
In preparation for 19th PON, said Welny, the Provincial Government has donated funds of about Rp34 billion.
"So we make sure the funding will be enough. Even the commitment of new chairman of South Kalimantan KONI Bambang Heri Pornomo very big to bring local athletes excel over Riau PON in 2012," he concluded.
edited by mahdani
