Consultant blames PASI for Sakeh's training troubles<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Runner Ahmad Sumarsono Sakeh is experiencing a difficult
\nadjustment in the first few months of his two-year training
\nprogram in Germany, a sports consultant to the education ministry
\nsays.<\/p>\n
Hans-Peter Thumm attributed the problems to Sakeh's late
\narrival at Dieter Baumann training camp in Stuttgart and his weak
\nphysical condition, but added the Indonesian Athletics
\nAssociation (PASI) should have moved quicker in sending the
\nathlete overseas.<\/p>\n
The delay has led to Sakeh playing catch up with the other
\nathletes -- world-class runners from Africa -- in his group who
\narrived earlier.<\/p>\n
"When Sakeh arrived in Germany at the end of January to train
\nfor the 800 meters, he had to deal with low temperatures which
\nreached minus 10 degrees Celsius," the German, who recommended
\nSakeh to train in the Baumann camp, said on Monday evening.<\/p>\n
"Besides, his fitness was relatively weak as he tried to catch
\nup with the Baumann program that had been running for two
\nmonths."<\/p>\n
Thumm expressed his disappointment with the lackadaisical
\nresponse of PASI in sending Sakeh, who was accepted for the
\nprogram in November 2004.<\/p>\n
"Now Sakeh must work harder in Germany for mistakes he didn't
\nmake," said Thumm, who visited the camp recently.<\/p>\n
"If PASI could have sent him earlier instead of at the end of
\nJanuary, the story would be different."<\/p>\n
Head of development affairs for the National Sports Council
\n(KONI) Djoko Pramono said separately that he received a short
\nmessage service (SMS) from the athlete, complaining about his
\ndifficulties.<\/p>\n
"He is going through a tough period in Germany at present and
\nis very homesick," he said.<\/p>\n
"But I told him to be patient in Germany as people at home are
\nwaiting for his best contribution to the country."<\/p>\n
Thumm said Sakeh trained with his group three times a week,
\nhad private coaching with Baumann -- the former middle and long
\ndistance runner who won gold in the 5,000 meters at the 1992
\nOlympics -- twice a week and also trained on his own twice a
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Thumm said Sakeh appeared determined to overcome the initial
\nproblems of adjustment. "We will see his improvement in the next
\nthree weeks."<\/p>\n
He believes Sakeh has what it takes to become a champion in
\nthe 800 meters after moving up from the 200 meters and 400
\nmeters, in which he won gold in the 2004 National Games in
\nPalembang.<\/p>\n
"He is young and has the potential, while at the same time the
\nmen's 800 meters in Asia is still weak," he said."<\/p>",
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