Bowling body prefers young athletes: Manager

Bowling body prefers young athletes: Manager

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bowling Association (PBI) has
opted to select young potential 10-pin bowlers to team up for the
Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September instead of
veteran players.

"It's very important to send young prospective bowlers to
high-profile events, including the Games, rather than sending
athletes who won't be able to improve their achievements,"
Indonesia bowling SEA Games manager David Sitorus told The
Jakarta Post by phone on Friday.

"Young athletes have a better chance at getting achievements
with their high level of commitment and discipline during
training sessions."

Three old hand bowlers -- Happy Ari Dewanti Soediyono, Poppy
Tambies and Sri Mulyani Ruzgar -- complained to the National
Sports Council (KONI) on Wednesday about their exclusion from the
team for the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games.

"They can claim they had better achievements in the past but
that's not enough. These youngsters managed to beat them during
the selection process. That is real evidence," said David.

"I had announced the selection to everyone so bowlers could
prepare themselves. Don't blame me if they (the seniors) can't
join the team."

David said PBI had yet to name the Games core team as there
would be another selection series next week.

"The final leg will be from next Monday to Thursday. I will
then summarize all the bowlers achievements and submit the
reports to PBI, which will make the final decision," he said.

"Currently, there are nine bowlers in each men's and women's
division. Each division will consist of six bowlers."

Separately, national diving coach Harly Ramayani told the Post
that the divers would undergo a six-week training program in
Hubei, China.

"Hubei has an indoor pool with complete facilities enabling us
to train all day long. We can't rely on training at the outdoor
Bung Karno swimming pool, which does not have twin towers
designed for synchronized diving," she said over the phone.
"We will also use other facilities, including a special
trampoline for dry technique training sessions."

Harly said Indonesian divers had acquired a high level of
skills, especially in their openings and somersaults, but still
needed to improve their entry techniques.

"Chinese divers are known for their exquisite entry techniques
and that's the reason for training there. We must work hard to
equal the Malaysian divers who started their training early this
year."

"I'm optimistic our divers can catch up with the Malaysians at
the training camp in Hubei."

Indonesian men's divers Husaini Nur, Sukran Zamzami and M.
Nasrullah and women's divers Eka Purnama, Herliani Dias, Nani
Suryani and Shenny Ratna Amelia will leave for China on Sunday.

Harly paid special attention to Shenny who was expected to
grab the title at the women's individual tower event.

"Shenny actually has good skills but she still lacks
confidence, especially after her disappointing form in the Sydney
2000 Olympics.

"But we have always motivated her to do her best. We've always
said that she had to jump anyway. She is very smart actually and
she is quick to grasp instructions and follow through on them."
(nvn)