Dragon boats to test RI's SEA Games team

Dragon boats to test RI's SEA Games team

JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines will float their Southeast Asian Games teams at the traditional dragon boat competition from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12 in Ancol, North Jakarta.

The annual race, which does not feature canoeing and rowing events, is being used as a tryout for the rowing competition of the 18th SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, scheduled for Dec. 9 to Dec. 17.

"Singapore is fielding both its men's and women's teams and Malaysia and Brunei will only field their women's teams," said Tukimin, secretary to the organizing committee.

Thailand and Vietnam have yet to confirm participation, he added.

He said that the Singaporean teams had asked to use the Jatiluhur dam, West Java, for training until the end of next month, as part of their preparations for the Games.

Indonesia expects seven gold medals from the rowing competition at the Chiang Mai SEA Games. (arf)