Indoneisa all set to host the 15th Junior Artistic Asian Championships
Jakarta, Indonesia: As you step inside the small, but compact indoor stadium here at Istora Senayan, which will host the 15th Junior Artistic Asian Championships from April 25, one will get to feel the high energy level of a group of young school girls.
On the main stage, the girls from north Java rehearsed a dance number on a Javanese ethnic music while the team leader ensured that finer details are not missed out as the organisers wants to present a colour opening ceremony.
“We are very enthusiastic as the tournament is important for us,” Ilya Avianti, President of Indonesia Gymnastics Association (Persani) President told www.agu-gymnastics.com.
“As for Indonesia and other countries where the sport is being developed, the competition will be a real boost.”
The four-day competition, which is also a qualifying event for Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will see gymnasts from 22 countries compete for the honours.
FIG MAG TC President Arturs Mickevics, FIG WTC Chairman Donatella along with Asian Gymnastics Union Technical Manager Anis Saoud and other top officials were also present at the venue to guide the local organisers on the technical aspects.
The qualification rounds will be held in two days, which will include six apparatus for MAG and four for WAG.
“Gymnastics is not a popular sport in Indonesia, but by hosting the event will give us the opportunity to popularise it and involve more people before the Asian Games in August,” said Avianti.
The championships, which is also a test event for this year’s Asian Games, is divided into different age categories for boys (14 and 17) and girls (13 to 15) and the organisers are leaving no stone unturned to make the event a grand success.
“Hosting the first international single gymnastics event is a matter of pride and honour, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the AGU support. We thank them for reposing the trust in us. We hope the competition will open the door for Indonesia to host other international events in future,” said Competition Director Ita Yuliati, who is also the 1st Vice-President at Indonesia Gymnastics Association.
