Interchapter volley c'ships reintroduced after 7 years
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Federation (PBVSI) hopes to recapture volleyball's place as the second most popular sport in the country by staging the first interchapter national volleyball championships in seven years next week at the basketball hall of the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan.
But with only 12 of its 28 chapters competing in the June 18 to June 24 event, PBVSI chairwoman Rita Soebowo could not hide her disappointment with the lack of enthusiasm.
"We have contacted all the chapters in the last two months but they have their own reasons for skipping this event. The main problem is the transportation fees to Jakarta. Moreover, many of them are not fully prepared for the championships. Some chapters also have internal problems," she said on Thursday.
As an example, Rita said the Bali chapter had been spending its time training its beach volleyball team rather than the indoor squad, while other chapters had focused on their junior squads.
"We realize there are so many factors preventing the chapters from sending their teams to the championships. We'll study this matter seriously to prepare better for the next event in two years. The championships are at the top of our agenda after the 2000 National Games (PON)."
Four chapters -- Jambi, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan -- will only be sending their men's teams to the event, while Banten, West Nusa Tenggara, East Java, Central Java, West Java, Yogyakarta, Jakarta and South Sumatra registered both their men's and women's teams.
"This is a challenge for us. Hopefully this event will motivate other chapters to prepare their teams better," Rita said.
PBVSI is also facing obstacles in finding sponsors and making volleyball entertaining to the public.
Rita said the interchapter championships were scheduled for last August, but were delayed after numerous chapters said they had depleted their budgets training players for PON.
"We postpones the event until this February, but then many chapters refused to travel to Jakarta because they considered the city unsafe."
Separately, the 13-strong men's national volleyball team has left for Fukuoka, Japan, to compete in the Asia Pacific Cup, which will also serve as a warm-up for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17.
The team paid a visit to National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar before departing for Fukuoka.
Rita said the team was hopeful of reaching the finals of the event.
The team comprises Andri Widiatmoko, M. Zaenudin, Marjoko Sigit, Eko Purnomo, Oktavian, Uus Susyansah, Erwin Rusni, Hadi Esmanto, Marwan Sutrisno, Joni Priyanto, Johan Rachmadi, Susilo Hari Wibowo and substitute M. Ufron. They are led by head coach Wienarto A.R. and assistant coach Ayub Hidayat. Trainers Samsul Jais and I Wayan Sudiana will also accompany the team.
PBVSI has also selected its women's team for the Games, comprising Wenny Evitasari, Sentia Angelita, Sulistyowati, Purwitasari, Fenni Djumiati, Sitti Nurjanah, Sri Julisanti Johar, Santi Wijayanti, Anna Yohana, Siswati, Dhika Christina, Magda Roselani, Rohmi Vidi Asnika and Henny. They are coached by Japanese Michio Fujiwara and local coach Machfud Irsyada, with Ansori serving as the trainer. (ivy)