Indonesia set to dominate rowing events at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is set to dominate in the rowing competition at the 19th Southeast Asian Games following the withdrawal of a number of athletes from other participating countries.

The 19th SEA Games organizing committee's competition deputy, M. Hindarto said Saturday other participating countries have a right to reduce the number of their athletes. He was speaking after the "Tabligh Akbar" prayer at the Al Azhar Mosque.

"We can only anticipate everything will go well," he told Antara, adding he did not know why Singaporean athletes had withdrawn from the canoeing and rowing events.

"Singapore has a great chance in both events. I don't know why they withdrew," he said.

He urged the Indonesian Rowing Association to discuss the problem with Singapore and confirm their participation in the Games, which will run from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

"Singapore has less chance compared to Indonesia in the traditional boat race," he said.

"For the traditional boat race, Indonesia must be wary of Myanmar and Thailand, while in canoeing and rowing Singapore has a big chance," Hindarto said.

An event at the Games requires a minimum three participating countries before it can proceed.

Participation

Four or five countries will participate in most events at the Games. Only three countries will participate in the javelin and women's weight lifting heavy division.

Indonesia must persuade other countries to send more athletes to the Games.

But Indonesian athletes should not dominate all events, Hindarto said.

Host Indonesia must reevaluate all Games participants. The country's athletes must pass the requirements of the National Sport Council before being allowed to participate.

Hindarto said the number of athletes are decreasing in a large number of events, including the Olympics.

"Indonesia will receive wild cards if an event has less participants," he said.

If the number of participants in an event decreases, Indonesia must announce which event has to be canceled to other participating countries one week after the entry by name.

Hindarto said so far none of the events had been canceled.

Badminton

The Badminton Association of Malaysia announced Saturday that veteran shuttler Rashid Sidek would compete at the Games.

Antara said Malaysia would also field Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin in the men's singles.

The association's chairman Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said Malaysia would feature new men's doubles of Cheah Soon Kit and Pang Cheh Chang. Pang replaced Yap Kim Hock, who is still undergoing medical treatment.

Coach Morten Frost Hansen, a former Dane shuttler, expected Yap to recover quickly and compete with Cheah next month.

Malaysia is expected to win the silver and gold in badminton.

Indonesia's SEA Games bodybuilding team is yet to be announced, and is waiting for the drug test results after the bodybuilders competed at the National Selection Saturday.

The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association's secretary-general Djoko Pramono said every winner in each division automatically joins the country's team, if their test results are negative.

Results

The results will be announced next week.

The association plans to feature eight bodybuilders and three reserve athletes.

Twelve bodybuilders being groomed for the Games still dominate the selection, in which 39 athletes from 10 provinces participated.

Association official Budi Santoso said they aim to win three golds from eight on offer at the Games.

Budi said Singapore, which dominated the 1993 SEA Games, would still be Indonesia's toughest rival.

Results

Under 55kgs: 1. Cornelis Morin (SEAG training) 2. Ridwan (Jakarta) 3. Handoko (Yogyakarta)

60kg: 1. Asrelawandi (SEAG training) 2. Aan Palma (Jakarta) 3. David Kayam (SEAG training)

65kg: 1. Syafrizal (SEAG training) 2. Sumardi (Central Java) 3. Arifin (Jakarta)

70kg: 1. Tukiman (SEAG training) 2. Didit Supriyanto (SEAG training) 3. Edeng Sambas (West Java)

75kg: 1. Komara Dwitayana (SEAG training) 2. I Nyoman (Bali) 3. Ahmad Hadi (North Sumatra)

80kg: 1. Rustam Mahadi (SEAG training) 2. Sutaraga (Jakarta) 3. Muryono (SEAG training)

85kg: 1. Wempie Wungau (SEAG training) 2. Harry Hermawan (SEAG training) 3. M. Kuwat (Central Java)

Over 85kg: 1. Ade Rai (SEAG training) 2. Sandhy (Jakarta) 3. Amin (Jakarta)