Consultant blames PASI for Sakeh's training troubles

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Runner Ahmad Sumarsono Sakeh is experiencing a difficult adjustment in the first few months of his two-year training program in Germany, a sports consultant to the education ministry says.

Hans-Peter Thumm attributed the problems to Sakeh's late arrival at Dieter Baumann training camp in Stuttgart and his weak physical condition, but added the Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) should have moved quicker in sending the athlete overseas.

The delay has led to Sakeh playing catch up with the other athletes -- world-class runners from Africa -- in his group who arrived earlier.

"When Sakeh arrived in Germany at the end of January to train for the 800 meters, he had to deal with low temperatures which reached minus 10 degrees Celsius," the German, who recommended Sakeh to train in the Baumann camp, said on Monday evening.

"Besides, his fitness was relatively weak as he tried to catch up with the Baumann program that had been running for two months."

Thumm expressed his disappointment with the lackadaisical response of PASI in sending Sakeh, who was accepted for the program in November 2004.

"Now Sakeh must work harder in Germany for mistakes he didn't make," said Thumm, who visited the camp recently.

"If PASI could have sent him earlier instead of at the end of January, the story would be different."

Head of development affairs for the National Sports Council (KONI) Djoko Pramono said separately that he received a short message service (SMS) from the athlete, complaining about his difficulties.

"He is going through a tough period in Germany at present and is very homesick," he said.

"But I told him to be patient in Germany as people at home are waiting for his best contribution to the country."

Thumm said Sakeh trained with his group three times a week, had private coaching with Baumann -- the former middle and long distance runner who won gold in the 5,000 meters at the 1992 Olympics -- twice a week and also trained on his own twice a week.

Thumm said Sakeh appeared determined to overcome the initial problems of adjustment. "We will see his improvement in the next three weeks."

He believes Sakeh has what it takes to become a champion in the 800 meters after moving up from the 200 meters and 400 meters, in which he won gold in the 2004 National Games in Palembang.

"He is young and has the potential, while at the same time the men's 800 meters in Asia is still weak," he said."