Anton hopes for KONI helping hand<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's table tennis player Anton
\nSuseno hopes the National Sports Council (KONI) will support him
\nfinancially in an overseas stint in the United States and Brazil
\nin July.<\/p>\n
The trip is planned as a warm up prior to the 2000 Olympic
\nGames in Sydney in September.<\/p>\n
Anton told reporters on Friday that he needed US$3,500 to
\ncompete in two International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) pro
\ntour events: the US Open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from July 6
\nto July 9 and the Brazilian Open in Rio de Janeiro from July 13
\nto July 16.<\/p>\n
He is also expected to train in China in August to sharpen his
\nskills.<\/p>\n
\"I have collected Rp 6.75 million ($876) to fund my tryout.
\nBut I still need more than $2,500. I asked KONI to cover the
\ndeficit but I'm still waiting for an answer,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I also receive financial support from donors who are
\nsupportive of me, but the amount is not sufficient.\"<\/p>\n
Anton said coach Adjat Sudrajat would not accompany him to the
\ncompetition. \"We have to double the spending if my coach comes
\nalong.\"<\/p>\n
Anton has been training in Bandung for the Olympics and also
\nthe 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in July.<\/p>\n
\"West Java is targeting two gold medals from the mixed doubles
\nand men's singles. I don't know if I can reach the target,
\nbecause I won't be at my peak performance in June. Besides, I
\nwill face my colleagues who have skills equal to mine.\"<\/p>\n
Anton finished 15th in the Asian Championships, which was also
\nan Olympic prequalifying round.<\/p>\n
KONI provides each athlete Rp 500,000 in monthly compensation,
\na Rp 50,000 daily stipend for board and lodgings and Rp 1.8
\nmillion for sports equipment during training programs. Each
\nathlete also receives $900 to compete in one overseas event.<\/p>\n
It also gives $3,000 to each foreign coach hired by the sports
\norganization during training preparation.<\/p>\n
Secretary-general of the Indonesian Table Tennis Association
\n(PTMSI) Johnny Waworuntu said Indonesia aimed to reach the
\nworld's top 16 in the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"It's very difficult to get higher than the world top 16 in
\nthe Olympics. Anton has done very well by qualifying for the
\nevent, and PTMSI is grateful to KONI for sending him to Sydney.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, the Indonesian Yachting and Windsurfing
\nAssociation (Porlasi) official in charge of athletes development
\nRaymond Kotambunan said national windsurfer Oka Sulaksana would
\nbe coached by Bruce Kendall of New Zealand in his preparations
\nfor the quadrennial event.<\/p>\n
\"KONI will pay his salary. Bruce asked for $250 a day,
\nexcluding traveling expenses and accommodation. We will hire him
\nfor 61 days,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that Amith Inbar of Israel was not available to train
\nOka as he was a member of his country's Olympics team. (ivy)<\/p>",
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