Indonesia's rowing association wants a clean sweep at SEA Games
Indonesia's rowing association wants a clean sweep at SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Rowing Association (PODSI) hopes
to make a clean sweep of eight golds at the 20th Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam in August.
PODSI chairman Achmad Sucipto said on Thursday that the rowers
held a great chance to win at the Games after they earned three
golds and one silver in the pre-Olympics qualifying round in
Singapore last week.
PODSI also sent its 50 traditional boat racers to compete in
the international dragon boat championships in Chinese Taipei on
the weekend. The team left Jakarta on Thursday and will return on
June 22.
Achmad said the competition would allow Indonesia to observe
other SEA Games participating countries. He named Myanmar,
Thailand and the Philippines as tough contenders in the biennial
event.
The 12 competing countries are from Southeast Asian, the
United States, Canada and Australia.
"Our rowers must supervise their contenders' strength during
the championships. They also must be able to evaluate their
skills because the Jatiluhur dam is not a proper place to train
for the traditional boat race," Achmad said.
Separately, National Sports Council (KONI) training director
Imron Z.S. said that KONI would held its second physical test in
the third and fourth week this month to examine the progress of
the athletes' condition.
He said the physical test results, the lab test results and
training program reports would be used to evaluate athletes
performance before the Games, to be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
Meanwhile, beach volleyball coach Dennis Taroreh is optimistic
that his team's long-term preparation will help it qualify for
the Olympics.
"We will try to qualify in the world series which took place
in eight countries, so we can place in the world's top 32 and
earn a berth for the Olympics," he said.
Four men's beach volleyballers -- Agus Salim who is paired
with Irilkhun Sofana and duo Iwan Sumoyo and Anjas Asmara -- will
compete in the World Championship series in Europe for a berth in
2000 Olympics Games in Sydney.
Eight countries of Russia, Germany, Norway, Italy, France,
Austria, Portugal and Spain will host several legs of the series
from June 22 to Aug. 22.
The Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) decided not to
send its women's beach volleyballers in the series because they
failed to win a medal in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok last
year.
PBVSI also will send its men's indoor volleyballers to compete
in a tournament later this month in Fukuoka, Japan, as a
replacement tournament because volleyball, both beach and indoor,
is not featured at the Games.
The Indonesian Climbing Federation (FPTI) urged KONI chairman
Wismoyo Arismunandar to include the sport in next year's National
Games in Surabaya.
Wismoyo responded: "I want the best for all national sports. I
understand your request. I hope the Games' organizers can feature
climbing in the event."
"But if you can't be a world champion, I won't fulfill your
request," he said with a laugh.
Climbers Yuyun Yuniar, Ronald Novar Marimbing, Eta Hendrawati
and Nurrahman Rosyid said they would compete in the international
X-treme Games in San Francisco on June 21.(ivy)