4 spikers yet to join training camp

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association is still waiting for four of its players, including stars Imam Agus Faisal and Loudry Maspaitela, to join the 19th SEA Games centralized training program.

"I'm sure the four athletes will be able to adapt with their friends, who have already joined the training program, especially Fafa (Faisal's nickname). Fafa is experienced and very disciplined in training," said Sutardino, the training director, Thursday during a fast-breaking gathering at Sentul, Bogor, West Java.

The four players, out of a 16-strong squad, have yet to join the training due to their jobs. They are Fafa, Loudry, Endri Oktavinatono and Benny Martarius. Sutardino expects them to turn up after Idul Fitri

Two of eight women's beach volleyballers have also yet to appear. They are Beatrix Renjaan and Fransina Unneputty. They too are expected to arrive after Idul Fitri.

Beach volleyball started its training on Nov. 1 after the World Championships at Senayan last year. Slamet Mulyanto and Wienarto are appointed coaches.

The indoor volleyball squad started training on Oct. 10, 1996. Japan's Satoshi Matsunaga leads the women's training team while Li Qiujiang of China leads the men.

The association's executive director, Rita Subowo, said that the women's indoor volleyball team will meet Osaka University's team here in May as a warm-up for the Games, which begin on October 11.

Sutardino said that the women spikers will take part in the Asian Championships in China Taipei in April and undergo overseas stints in Japan in May and August. They will also participate in the Universiade in Sicily, Italy.

The male spikers are to undergo an overseas stint in China in May before playing in the Asia Pacific Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, in June. They will also compete in the Universiade.

Antara reported that the national men's and women's beach volleyball teams are to take part in three World Championships Series events; in Italy from July 16 to July 20, in France between July 22 and July 27 and in Austria from July 30 to Aug. 3.

Matsunaga said that all SEA Games participating countries will field their best teams in the Asia Pacific Championship as their final preparation for the biennial event.

"Based on the last Games' in Chiang Mai, I think Thailand will dominate volleyball. But I'm still hopeful that Indonesia might be able to win the golds," he said. (yan)