Evi heading for world event in Germany

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Young rock-climber Evi Neliwati will represent Indonesia at the 2005 World Games in Duisburg, Germany, according to the Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (FPTI) here on Wednesday.

Evi, just 20-years-old, secured a berth in November's world championship after she won gold in the women's speed event at the recently concluded Asian championships, where Indonesian athletes also grabbed another two silvers.

It will be Indonesia's first appearance at the world event, and Evi is relishing her potentially tough challenge.

"This is Indonesia's first participation in the World Games but I think we have a good chance in the competition," she said, adding that climbers from Russia and Ukraine would be hot contenders.

At the Asian championships, which ran from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 in Youngnam, South Korea, Indonesia won the silver medals courtesy of Etti Agung Herawati -- ranked second in the world behind Russian Anna Soulevitch -- and Abudzar Yulianto.

The result put Indonesia in second place among 14 countries behind South Korea and ahead of China. The hosts collected two gold, a silver and bronze while China grabbed one gold.

Indonesian athletes, accompanied by FPTI officials, paid a visit to Agum Gumelar, chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), here on Wednesday.

FPTI secretary-general Maman Hermansyah said they were relieved at the outcome, although they ended up one gold short of their target.

"Apart from the chilly weather they had to endure, our climbers faced difficulties when up against the climbing path different from what they get used to," Maman said.

Maman said that he hoped his climbers would have a better performance in the Asian Indoor Games and a the South East Asian Games next year when the sport will be an exhibition event.