ISSI asks SEAG to let cyclists perform in various events

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) has requested that the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Federation, in Kuala Lumpur, allow cyclists to perform in multiple events, ISSI secretary general Husein Argasasmita said on Wednesday.

"There is a rule which stipulates that a cyclist can't compete in two events. For example, a road racer can't perform in criterium events. We'll ask the Federation to change this rule. We have some cyclists who must perform in two events, like Nurhayati," he said.

So far, ISSI has yet to receive any response.

"We'll go to Kuala Lumpur to settle this problem," Hussein added.

Husein spoke to journalists during a National Sports Council (KONI) event for athletes selected to participate in the Games, held in the multipurpose hall at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Also attending at the event were KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, SEA Games training director Putra Astaman, KONI officials and the preliminary national team selected for the Games.

Husein mentioned another rule limiting the number of cyclists allowed to compete in the Games, to be held from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17, but added that Indonesia would still abide by it.

"The rule says a country can send a maximum 22 male and 16 female cyclists. We can still tolerate this rule. If we have to send cyclists to compete in single events, we have to groom about 36 male cyclists to perform in 13 events."

Twenty male and female cycling events will be featured at the Games. Indonesia managed to win three gold medals, three silver and one bronze at the 1999 Games in Brunei Darussalam. Four golds were targeted.

This year, ISSI aims to win between seven and nine golds from the 20 on offer.

Husein said ISSI had requested some Rp 1.2 billion (US$1.1 million) from KONI to purchase new equipment.

"We'll use the proposed funds to buy new supplies. We have to buy new tires for downhill bicycles," he said.

He emphasized the importance of new equipment, particularly during major competitions.

"Cyclists will have no problems with their equipment during practice, but in the competition they will have to change tires two or three times," he explained.

Husein also said that new equipment would be needed because cyclists had to comply with a new regulation from the world cycling federation (ICU), ruling that both the front and rear wheels must have the same radius.

"The regulation took effect on Jan. 1, 2000. As a result, we have to modify our bicycles so that tires have the same radius. It will cost a lot of money."

The rule was made based on the observation that cyclists became exhausted quicker if the front wheel was smaller than the rear one.

Husein expressed hope that national cyclists could borrow some equipment from the Polygon Sweetnice cycling club in Surabaya, which possesses modern equipment.

"But we will still rely on KONI to help us," he explained.

Cyclists are being trained in three provinces: mountain bikers are training in Bandung; track cyclists in Yogyakarta; and road racers in East Java.

The track cyclists were originally trained in Jakarta, but they preferred Yogyakarta due to its superior facilities. (ivy)