Anton hopes for KONI helping hand

Anton hopes for KONI helping hand

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's table tennis player Anton
Suseno hopes the National Sports Council (KONI) will support him
financially in an overseas stint in the United States and Brazil
in July.

The trip is planned as a warm up prior to the 2000 Olympic
Games in Sydney in September.

Anton told reporters on Friday that he needed US$3,500 to
compete in two International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) pro
tour events: the US Open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from July 6
to July 9 and the Brazilian Open in Rio de Janeiro from July 13
to July 16.

He is also expected to train in China in August to sharpen his
skills.

"I have collected Rp 6.75 million ($876) to fund my tryout.
But I still need more than $2,500. I asked KONI to cover the
deficit but I'm still waiting for an answer," he said.

"I also receive financial support from donors who are
supportive of me, but the amount is not sufficient."

Anton said coach Adjat Sudrajat would not accompany him to the
competition. "We have to double the spending if my coach comes
along."

Anton has been training in Bandung for the Olympics and also
the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in July.

"West Java is targeting two gold medals from the mixed doubles
and men's singles. I don't know if I can reach the target,
because I won't be at my peak performance in June. Besides, I
will face my colleagues who have skills equal to mine."

Anton finished 15th in the Asian Championships, which was also
an Olympic prequalifying round.

KONI provides each athlete Rp 500,000 in monthly compensation,
a Rp 50,000 daily stipend for board and lodgings and Rp 1.8
million for sports equipment during training programs. Each
athlete also receives $900 to compete in one overseas event.

It also gives $3,000 to each foreign coach hired by the sports
organization during training preparation.

Secretary-general of the Indonesian Table Tennis Association
(PTMSI) Johnny Waworuntu said Indonesia aimed to reach the
world's top 16 in the Olympics.

"It's very difficult to get higher than the world top 16 in
the Olympics. Anton has done very well by qualifying for the
event, and PTMSI is grateful to KONI for sending him to Sydney."

Separately, the Indonesian Yachting and Windsurfing
Association (Porlasi) official in charge of athletes development
Raymond Kotambunan said national windsurfer Oka Sulaksana would
be coached by Bruce Kendall of New Zealand in his preparations
for the quadrennial event.

"KONI will pay his salary. Bruce asked for $250 a day,
excluding traveling expenses and accommodation. We will hire him
for 61 days," he said.

He said that Amith Inbar of Israel was not available to train
Oka as he was a member of his country's Olympics team. (ivy)