Indonesia to rely on women in Asiad tennis
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)