16 countries to enter Jakarta Open

16 countries to enter Jakarta Open

JAKARTA (JP): Sixteen countries will compete in the Jakarta
Open, part of Asian Tour Beach Volleyball championships, at
Senayan Sport Center from July 11 to July 13.

Teams from ASEAN countries, New Zealand, India and Australia
will be among the competitors.

There will be US$20,000 in cash prizes - $10,000 for the best
men's team and $10,000 for the best women's team.

Spectators can watch the two-day tournament for free.

The Asian Beach Volley Council's chairwoman, Rita Subowo, said
yesterday the Jakarta Open was held to prepare Indonesia's beach
volleyball teams for the coming 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
which will be held here in October and the Sydney Olympics 2000.

"This tournament will serve as an evaluation for the
Indonesian team for the coming SEA Games and the possible
participation of Indonesia at the Olympic Games," Rita said.

Rita said she hoped the Jakarta Open would become a regular
event but that this was up to the Indonesian Volleyball
Association.

Indonesia, as the host, will have six men's teams and four
women's teams.

Thailand will send two men's and two women's teams. Malaysia,
New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore will send one men's
team, while Australia will send three women's teams, India and
the Philippines two, and Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore one.

Local TV network TPI will broadcast live the two-day
tournament and televise highlights from 12 beach volley
tournaments until the SEA Games.

TPI spokesman Fezarsnoor said each of the 12 highlights
packages would be aired for 30 minutes.

"The airing of the 12 packages will start on July 29 until the
SEA Games from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19. We want to show the public
everything about beach volleyball and at the same time educate
youngsters who might be interested in beach volleyball,"
Fezarsnoor said. (lnt)