Indonesian rowers look good for SEAG

Indonesian rowers look good for SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): Two-hundred rowers are training intensively at
Jatiluhur dam in preparation for next October's 19th SEA Games,
but only 94 will be picked for the event after workouts and a
series of overseas stints.

"We started early for the Games because we are out to win as
many medals as possible at the Games to be held in Jakarta,"
Yadi, one of the coaches at Jatiluhur, about 80 kilometers
southeast of here, said yesterday.

He said Indonesia was determined to live up to its billing as
the rowing kingpin of Southeast Asia, having dominated regional
events for years with the exception of last year's SEA Games in
Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Indonesia was forced to swallow a surprise bitter pill by the
highly motivated and fired-up Thai rowers in the kayak/canoeing
events which saw the hosts finish on top of the medals table,
ahead of Indonesia.

But in the rowing, there was no stopping Indonesia which ruled
the roost in devastating fashion, sweeping nine of the 10 golds
at stake, leaving the crumbs for others to fight over.

"In fact we have emerged as a power to be reckoned with in
world rowing. In Asia, we are ranked second behind China, and in
the world we are fast growing as a serious threat to the
established powers like the United States, Russia and other
Eastern European countries," Yadi said.

Only medal winners at the National Games held earlier this
year here will gain a berth in the 94-strong team.

The 19th SEA Games from Oct. 11 until Oct. 19 will feature
Olympic rowing, kayak/canoeing and traditional Asian rowing with
31 gold medals up for grabs.

The coach said some of the oarsmen and women would be sent to
Australia for more training, and others would compete in the
traditional rowing events at next month's world championships in
Hong Kong.

Without hesitation, Yadi singled out Thailand as the team to
watch.

"We have to keep a close eye on the Thais. They will once
again lurk dangerously in our path to retain the championship
title," he said.

But he warned that the Indonesian team should not be
overconfident or complacent. "It would be dangerous if we
underrate or overlook other contenders including Myanmar and the
Philippines. Being underdogs they have nothing to lose. They may
pull off an upset that defies all odds and prerace predictions,"
the coach said. (bas)