ISSI asks SEAG to let cyclists perform in various events<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) has
\nrequested that the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Federation, in
\nKuala Lumpur, allow cyclists to perform in multiple events, ISSI
\nsecretary general Husein Argasasmita said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"There is a rule which stipulates that a cyclist can't compete
\nin two events. For example, a road racer can't perform in
\ncriterium events. We'll ask the Federation to change this rule.
\nWe have some cyclists who must perform in two events, like
\nNurhayati,\" he said.<\/p>\n
So far, ISSI has yet to receive any response.<\/p>\n
\"We'll go to Kuala Lumpur to settle this problem,\" Hussein
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Husein spoke to journalists during a National Sports Council
\n(KONI) event for athletes selected to participate in the Games,
\nheld in the multipurpose hall at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in
\nSenayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Also attending at the event were KONI chairman Wismoyo
\nArismunandar, SEA Games training director Putra Astaman, KONI
\nofficials and the preliminary national team selected for the
\nGames.<\/p>\n
Husein mentioned another rule limiting the number of cyclists
\nallowed to compete in the Games, to be held from Sept. 8 to Sept.
\n17, but added that Indonesia would still abide by it.<\/p>\n
\"The rule says a country can send a maximum 22 male and 16
\nfemale cyclists. We can still tolerate this rule. If we have to
\nsend cyclists to compete in single events, we have to groom about
\n36 male cyclists to perform in 13 events.\"<\/p>\n
Twenty male and female cycling events will be featured at the
\nGames. Indonesia managed to win three gold medals, three silver
\nand one bronze at the 1999 Games in Brunei Darussalam. Four golds
\nwere targeted.<\/p>\n
This year, ISSI aims to win between seven and nine golds from
\nthe 20 on offer.<\/p>\n
Husein said ISSI had requested some Rp 1.2 billion (US$1.1
\nmillion) from KONI to purchase new equipment.<\/p>\n
\"We'll use the proposed funds to buy new supplies. We have to
\nbuy new tires for downhill bicycles,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized the importance of new equipment, particularly
\nduring major competitions.<\/p>\n
\"Cyclists will have no problems with their equipment during
\npractice, but in the competition they will have to change tires
\ntwo or three times,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Husein also said that new equipment would be needed because
\ncyclists had to comply with a new regulation from the world
\ncycling federation (ICU), ruling that both the front and rear
\nwheels must have the same radius.<\/p>\n
\"The regulation took effect on Jan. 1, 2000. As a result, we
\nhave to modify our bicycles so that tires have the same radius.
\nIt will cost a lot of money.\"<\/p>\n
The rule was made based on the observation that cyclists
\nbecame exhausted quicker if the front wheel was smaller than the
\nrear one.<\/p>\n
Husein expressed hope that national cyclists could borrow some
\nequipment from the Polygon Sweetnice cycling club in Surabaya,
\nwhich possesses modern equipment.<\/p>\n
\"But we will still rely on KONI to help us,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Cyclists are being trained in three provinces: mountain bikers
\nare training in Bandung; track cyclists in Yogyakarta; and road
\nracers in East Java.<\/p>\n
The track cyclists were originally trained in Jakarta, but
\nthey preferred Yogyakarta due to its superior facilities. (ivy)<\/p>",
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