Indonesia skips 2002 Asiad fencing, shooting
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian fencers and shooters will miss the Pusan 2002 Asian Games after their sports organizations officially submitted a letter of withdrawal from the event's centralized training camp to the National Sports Council (KONI).
The Indonesian Fencing Association (Ikasi) said it was almost impossible for national fencers to compete with their rivals from other Asian countries for medals.
"We have predicted that the chance to grab any medals is very slim," a letter dated Nov. 8 from Ikasi chairman Widarsadipradja to KONI says.
Preparations of athletes from the remaining 18 sports -- archery, badminton, beach volleyball, billiards, bodybuilding, boxing, canoeing, gymnastics, judo, karate, rowing, sailing, swimming, tae kwon do, tennis, track and field, weightlifting and wushu -- for the Games will continue, KONI said.
KONI has set strict requirements for athletes to qualify for the Games, including their latest achievements of either reaching the finals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September, placing them among the top five in the Asian rankings or receiving the Olympic Solidarity fund. Only shortlisted potential athletes were awarded the Olympic fund.
In the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian fencers grabbed two gold medals, one silver and one bronze out of five events. However, the shooters managed only three golds, two silvers and one bronze from 35 golds at stake.
Secretary general of the Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin), Anthony Sunaryo said the decision to withdraw from Asiad preparations was taken after an evaluation meeting attended by shooters and Perbakin officials.
"We think it would be better to prepare our shooters for the Hanoi 2003 SEA Games," said Anthony, in a letter sent to KONI dated Nov. 12.
Asian Games training director Imron ZS said he respected the decision made by Ikasi and Perbakin.
"It is such a sportsmanship attitude that both sports organizations opted out after learning they cannot meet the strict conditions," he said at the sidelines of a meeting between sports organizations and KONI officials discussing Asiad preparations.
He also said that all athletes called to join the training stint for Asiad would undergo tests on Jan. 15 to trace any possibility of drug abuse. Another test would be conducted shortly before their departure for Pusan.
The tests were prompted by the death of former national diver Temmy Kusuma on Nov. 1 due to an overdose of putaw (low-grade heroin), which caused fatal damage to his lungs, liver and heart.