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)