Indonesia skips 2002 Asiad fencing, shooting
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.