Athletes to undergo psychological tests

JAKARTA (JP): Members of Indonesia's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad will undergo psychological tests for only the third time in the country's Games history, with the tests being designed to determine whether they have the strengths that are necessary for improving their performances.

"The tests will observe their adaptability, concentration, intelligence and analytical-synthesis abilities. The results will then be dispatched to coaches complete with psychological recommendations," the National Sports Council (KONI) psychologist Rosa Hertamina told reporters during a weekly briefing on Thursday.

"Jakarta-based athletes will take the tests on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll arrange different times for athletes training in other cities."

Sadly, KONI only has nine psychologists to handle the approximately 600 athletes from 29 sports who will be competing at the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games in Kuala Lumpur. The number is far from sufficient.

"Ideally, each sport must have two psychologists to enable them to closely monitor athletes' problems. So far, only four sports have their own psychologists: archery, athletics, target shooting and volleyball," Rosa said.

"Now each psychologist is handling two or three sports and is scheduled to handle each sport twice a week. We are also always ready if there are any problems."

All psychologists are working together with coaches to monitor athletes progress.

"Coaches know the athletes much better and are involved with them in their day-to-day activities. We expect the coaches to be able to handle minor problems. We have provided them with short courses and practical guidelines to solve the athletes problems," Rosa said.

"So far, we have yet to face any serious problems. But we are expecting higher stress levels in the two to three weeks prior to the Games."

"We have taught athletes as well as coaches about relaxation and visualization techniques to lessen the stress."

Nutritionist Leane Suniar, who also attended the briefing, said that generally none of the athletes had any problems with their food intake.

"We have set a calorie standard for them. For example, they must consume two grams of protein for each of kilogram of body weight," she said.

"But sometimes athletes get bored with the menu, especially those staying at the Century Park Athlete Hotel. We provide additional snacks three times a day to reduce the boredom."

"Our biggest problem is providing food for the boxers staying in the Graha Wisata at Ragunan Sports School, South Jakarta. The management only provides limited food so as to get a bigger profit," added Leane, saying that KONI would distribute milk contributed by Japfa Comfeed to the boxers in an effort to improve their meals. (nvn)