36 Games athletes in Sicily for tryouts

36 Games athletes in Sicily for tryouts

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes will compete in five of the 10 events at the Universiade (Student Games) in Sicily, Italy, from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31.

Indonesia is sending 36 SEA Games athletes, all university students, to compete in gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, track and field and fencing.

Their participation in the Universaide will be their final tryout for athletes being groomed for the 19th SEA Games here in October.

Some swimmers and gymnasts are in the U.S and Moscow and will join the other athletes in Sicily on July 18.

The sports development agency for student's secretary general, Ekodjatmiko Sukarso, said he expected the athletes to do their best although they would face tough competition in the Universaide.

"We have not set any targets because our athletes will face very strong rivals with prospects of setting regional or world records," he said.

Indonesia has the chance to improve its rankings, especially in men's volleyball. Indonesia came 12th in volleyball at the last Universaide.

Indonesia's volleyball squad includes Teddy Hidayat, Risco H. Matulessy, Robby Meliala, Erwin Rusni and Endri Widiatmoko.

Indonesia is in the same men's group as the U.S, Germany and Italy.

About 6,000 athletes from 174 countries will compete in the biennial event in Palermo, Catania and Messina. (03)