Basketball team eyes Games bronze medal

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) chairman Sutiyoso is optimistic that his players can win at least a bronze in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei in August.

During a visit on Friday to the training center, Sutiyoso predicted the team would do better than its fourth-place finish at the last Games two years ago.

"Although we only have had two months' preparation, compared to nearly a year two years ago, it doesn't mean our players will be worse," said Sutiyoso, who is also Jakarta governor.

He said the current team boasted stronger technical skills and better physiques.

Perbasi has been grooming 15 players who will be selected to set up a nucleus team of 12. It originally planned to have an overseas stint in China, but financial constraints limited it to sending the team to the President Cup in Manila next week. Other SEA Games participants, except Thailand, will compete in the event.

"We don't have any target at the President Cup. We hope the players will reach their peak form in the SEA Games," Sutiyoso said.

Perbasi also plans psychological testing of players.

"If there are any players with psychological problems, we'll give them professional help," he said.

"Hopefully, we won't have other obstacles. We hope our players are highly motivated to win the matches."

Perbasi does not plan to hire a foreign coach, Sutiyoso added.

"Based on our previous experience with Russian and Chinese coaches, we consider having a foreign coach as ineffective due to communication problems," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

In his capacity as chairman of the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin), Sutiyoso said three women's double trap athletes also were being groomed for the event, to be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

"We expect help from the National Sports Council to assist Perbakin to finance the training because we don't have enough budget to buy bullets and clay targets," he said.

"If the council can help us financially, I think our markswomen also can reach their target at the event." (yan)