Indonesian rowers leave for Olympic qualifier

Indonesian rowers leave for Olympic qualifier

JAKARTA (JP): Five Indonesian rowers set off yesterday for the
Olympic Games Asia zone qualifying round in Tokyo, Japan, with
the goal of winning a place at the world's biggest sporting meet.

Chairman of the Indonesian Rowing Association Basuki said
yesterday that the country's main Olympic hope is the single
sculler, Lasmin.

"I'm very confident about his chances of winning in Japan,"
Basuki said. Only qualifying round winners will go to the
Olympics, scheduled from July 19 to Aug. 4 in Atlanta, Georgia.

"Even if he fails, we will give him another shot at the 2000
Sydney Olympics, with the unquestionable target of winning a
medal," Basuki added.

Rowers from eight Asian countries will be vying for eight
Olympic berths in Tokyo.

Indonesian rowers will compete in the men's and women's
lightweight double sculls and men's single sculls, all over
2,000m. The other athletes are Anwar, Iswandi, Siti Sofiah and
Wenny Riana.

Rowing offers 14 gold medals in the Olympics, while canoeing
13.

The other zonal qualifying rounds will be held in Europe,
Africa and America. Indonesia's neighbor Australia will
participate in the European zone.

The national rowing body yesterday also flagged off another
five men to the Merlion Cup in Singapore, scheduled for June 2
and June 3. They are Bambang, Ade Mamat, Yano, Roland and
Muhidin.

Basuki said that his men are expected to grab five gold medals
from the 1,000-meter single scull, the 1,000m lightweight double
scull, the 1000m open class double scull, the 500m kayak pairs
and the 500m kayak fours.

"We are out to prove our supremacy in Asian rowing and
kayaking during the Singaporean outing," Basuki said.

All the competitors missed the Southeast Asian Games in Chiang
Mai, Thailand last December, because the organizers picked
traditional boat races instead of rowing and kayaking among the
medal events.

With rowing and kayaking making their debut in the SEA Games
here next year, Indonesia has set its eyes on hauling half the 30
gold medals at stake. (yan)