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)