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)