Indonesia not likely to make Olympic fencing competition
Indonesia not likely to make Olympic fencing competition
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's prospects of making the Olympic fencing competition in Atlanta this summer are uncertain, an official said yesterday.
Eman Sumusi, vice secretary of the Indonesian Fencing Association, told a hearing of the National Sports Council yesterday that Indonesia might ask for a wildcard entry to the Olympics, but strict rules by the council could bar its team from competing in the world's biggest sporting meet.
"We will bow to the council's decision to pick only potential medal winners for the Olympics," Eman said.
None of Indonesia's fencers managed to win Olympic berths in the individual events after finishing well down the field in the Asia/Oceania zone Olympic qualifying round in Seoul recently.
Only gold medalists at the tournament made it to the Olympics, scheduled from July 19 to Aug. 4 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Eman said that the Indonesian women's fencers qualified for the epee team event by taking eighth place. The top 12 teams in the zonal fencing championships won Olympic berths.
"Let's hope that the world fencing body loosens its ruling," Eman said.
When asked about preparations for the 19th Southeast Asian Games here next year, Eman said that the association is expecting junior athletes to spearhead the Indonesian fencing team.
Eman said that the teenagers will face their first eligibility test in the Asian Junior Championships, scheduled here for Aug. 10 to Aug. 15.
Another official, Zus Undap, complained that Indonesia lacks international fencing umpires. Undap surprised the council as she said that the country has only four umpires eligible to handle an international competition like the SEA Games.
"We desperately need more umpires in preparation for the 19th SEA Games here next year," she said.
Undap said the association will pick more national umpires to attend a short-term course during the Asian Junior Fencing Championships.
There are three categories of umpires, A for the Olympics, B for Asian-level competitions and C for Southeast Asian-level events.
"The major problem in obtaining the B and C diplomas is English," Undap said. She also said that Indonesia does not have any A level umpires due to the requirement to speak French. (05/amd)