Doni promises squash medal at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Newcomer Doni Manik wants to surprise everyone at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month by surpassing the target set by the Indonesian Squash Association (PSI) to obtain a bronze in the men's team event.

"I want to give a surprising performance in the team event. I don't want everybody to think that squash fails to contribute medals," said the 21-year-old player.

Doni expressed confidence that he could earn more than a bronze in his international debut.

"If I try hard enough, I'm sure I can do it. I don't want to lose my fighting spirit before competing," he said, adding that a shortage of funds at the PSI had meant he had not benefited from an overseas training stint.

Born in Medan, North Sumatra on July 27, 1978, Doni dreamed of becoming a professional squash player.

"I wished to play in international tournaments. The SEA Games will be my first international performance," he said.

The third child of Ahmad Manik and the late Tohe Hasugian's brood of five started practicing squash when he was 17. Before this he played tennis; his switch in 1995 came about after his tennis game failed to improve.

Doni performed in several local championships and in 1997 he won the national championships in his hometown and was nominated as best player.

He was lucky enough to obtain an individual sponsorship from property businessman Hadi Suratman, who was interested in developing the talents of the young player fresh from winning the senior-class championships.

But the sponsorship deal forced Doni to choose between two options: his studies or a career. Hadi also stipulated several requirements for Doni before he could become an international player.

"He asked me to choose between studying and a career and I picked the latter. He said I have a talent to become a good squash player," Doni said, adding that Hadi would discuss official contracts only if he performed well at the Games.

"My sponsor said that if I have international achievements, I should not be too worried about finding a job. He also urged me to concentrate only on squash and not about girls. He said if I'm a world class player I won't have to worry about girls," Doni said with a smile.

The sponsor has provided Doni with squash equipment and a foreign coach to improve his physical fitness.

Doni was called to join the national training program after he won the Tiara Open tournament in Medan in January 1998. He defeated two national athletes, both of whom were former SEA Games squad members.

During the program, Doni has experienced military-style training.

"I have to do 40 push-ups in one minute and 30 sit-ups in a minute. I also have to run a minimum 25 times in one minute around the 180-square meters in the squash stadium complex."

He said he had to sacrifice his bed time for the training.

"We have to be in the squash field before 8:30 a.m. If we fail to show up, Pak Bambang (national team coach) will come to the hotel and pour water onto our face," Doni recalled, as a broad grin spread over his face. "I was the one who was splashed the most often." (ivy)