4 spikers yet to join training camp
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)