Women players want to go international<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali<\/p>\n
Mutiara Sasini Bunga and Sadra Q had no choice but to take on
\nmale opponents in qualifying for the A Mild Billiard Bali
\nInternational Open.<\/p>\n
Sadra, who was defeated on Tuesday, said she was accustomed to
\nlosing to men's players in her tournament outings.<\/p>\n
They were joined by 10 other women from here and abroad in the
\nqualifying among 104 men's players. Two women -- national player
\nDesak Raka and Angelina Magdalena Ticoalu -- advanced to the main
\ndraw by beating other women.<\/p>\n
They were pleased to have a chance to compete in such a
\nprestigious event, but also wished there were women-only
\ninternational competitions held here.<\/p>\n
"It's always good for us to play against male players as we
\nhave the chance to improve our skills," Mutiara, who is also the
\nnational coach for the 2005 Southeast Games, said.<\/p>\n
"But it would be better if Indonesia could hold an
\ninternational tournament for women's players so that foreign
\nwomen's players could also compete here."<\/p>\n
Although there are about 10 national women's tournaments every
\nyear, the number is much lower than the 48 men's events.<\/p>\n
She added that women, limited to playing a few tournaments a
\nyear, were unlikely to overcome more experienced men in
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
"The play of women's players is still of a lower standard than
\nmen's players, so if we play in the men's division, it is almost
\nimpossible to win the tournament."<\/p>\n
Desak and Sadra concurred with Mutiara about the need for more
\nworld-class tournaments exclusively for women that would allow
\nthem to hone their skills.<\/p>\n
Billiards, bowling, chess and golf are among the few sports to
\nallow the sexes to compete against each other. The Asian Bowling
\nFederation (ABF) occasionally holds a competition featuring men's
\nand women's players in one draw, but most tournaments are single
\nsex.<\/p>\n
It's only in the past few years that women players have been
\nable to overcome the entrenched stereotype of the smoky pool hall
\nas the domain of men.<\/p>\n
Mutiara, one of those pioneers, is doing her best to push
\nthrough the realization of women-only international tournaments.<\/p>\n
"I made a proposal to the organizing committee two years ago
\nbut it rejected my proposal, saying that such an event wouldn't
\nattract spectators," Mutiara said. "But I will propose the idea
\nagain this year."<\/p>\n
Sadra said that it was necessary for women players to improve
\ntheir skills.<\/p>\n
"As far as I know, women players still lack experience,"
\nSadra, who started playing seven years ago, said.<\/p>\n
"Besides, the number of women players of a high standard is
\nstill limited. For example, in Bali there are only about five
\ngood players."<\/p>\n
Mutiara agreed that a greater pool of women's players would
\nlead to a higher standard of play. And once women come up to par
\nin the quality stakes -- including through playing more women's
\nevents -- it will do away with the argument that the women's game
\ndoes not make interesting viewing.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-players-want-to-go-international-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}