Indonesia to rely on women in Asiad tennis

JAKARTA (JP): Women players make up the bulk of Indonesia's tennis squad for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December, the Indonesian Tennis Association announced on Wednesday.

The association's chairman, Sarwono Kusumaatmaja, said Indonesia's best bet Yayuk Basuki will lead a quartet of women's players who will represent the country in both team and individual events at the Asiad.

Unlike the previous games in Hiroshima, Japan, four years ago, Indonesia will not compete in the men's team event following its Davis Cup defeat last month. The association picked only two men's players, Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo, who will concentrate on the men's doubles.

"We are out to maintain our medal-winning tradition in the Asian Games. On paper, we could take medals in the women's team, women's doubles, men's doubles and mixed doubles events," Sarwono said after watching a selection tournament for the Asiad.

Veteran Irawati Moerid secured one of the two remaining places on the women's team after beating Liza Andriyani 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Wednesday and Enny Sulistyowati 6-2, 6-3 on Tuesday.

Liza and Enny will be vying for the last berth when they meet on Thursday. Mimma Chernovita withdrew from the selection tournament because she is pregnant.

Yayuk, currently ranked 44 in the world, and world number 225 Wynne Prakusya were exempted from the selection tournament.

The association's secretary-general, Zainal Abidin, said national men's players were given a shot only in the doubles because of their slim chances of winning medals in the other events.

"We must understand who our opponents are at the Asiad. India has Laender Paes while Japan, South Korea and China will field their best players."

Sarwono predicted that all Indonesian athletes would face their toughest challenge ever in the forthcoming Asiad because of misperceptions about Indonesia overseas.

"The situation in Bangkok will be unfriendly to our athletes. They must be mentally prepared for the Games," he said.

Chairman

When sked about the election of the association's new chairman next month, Zainal said Siswono Yudhohusodo had turned down a nomination for the post.

"He said he could not accept the nomination because he once served as an association executive. But I personally hope that he will change his mind."

With Siswono's withdrawal, State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng has emerged as the sole candidate in the election, which will cap the association's national congress from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21 here.

Sarwono, who refused a second term, called on the congress participants to vote for Tanri.

"I hope he is elected the new chairman. A chairman must be a sports enthusiast, because he will rely much on his enthusiasm rather than money."

Sarwono wanted his successor to focus his attention on grooming young talent and giving them more opportunities to play in international tournaments. (yan)