Softball to make comeback in SEA Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Softball Association urged
\nyesterday the National Sports Council to include softball among
\nmedal events in the upcoming 19th Southeast Asian Games here next
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Suryo Adi Prasetyo, secretary-general of the association, and
\ntraining director Doedie Gambiro said in a hearing with the
\ncouncil that four countries support Indonesia's bid to bring the
\nsport back into the SEA Games arena.<\/p>\n
The supporting countries are Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and
\nthe Philippines.<\/p>\n
However, Doedi said that the development of the sport in the
\ncountry is far from encouraging.<\/p>\n
"Our women's national team has is from West Java, while the
\nmen's team desperately relies on Jakarta athletes," Doedie said.<\/p>\n
Softball made its last appearance in the SEA Games in 1991,
\nwith the Philippines sweeping the two gold medals. Indonesia
\nfinished second in both men's and women's events.<\/p>\n
To prepare its athletes for the SEA Games, the association
\nwill send them to take part in international tournaments in New
\nZealand and Chinese Taipei.<\/p>\n
"We'll also invite a foreign coach who will drill our players
\nin pitching and hitting for about three or four months," Suryo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Doedie admitted that Indonesian women's and men's teams have
\nrather unimpressive records due to a lack of international
\nexperience.<\/p>\n
"But other Southeast Asian countries also face the same
\nproblem," he said.<\/p>\n
The association will stage the Rimbawan national men's
\nchampionship, which is usually held every even year, in Bandung,
\nWest Java, this April. The women's Rimbawati championship takes
\nplace every odd year. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/softball-to-make-comeback-in-sea-games-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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