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)