ISSI ponders SEAG training period
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) remains undecided on whether to adopt a long or short training period for the cyclists ahead of the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, an ISSI official said on Monday.
"If we opt for the long period, we would have to start training next February. On the other hand, a short preparation would need only three months of training," Sofian Ruzian, ISSI's deputy secretary-general, told The Jakarta Post.
He said the issue would be discussed at the organization's national congress in the resort island of Bali next week.
The next SEA Games, a biennial multi-event sporting tournament between southeast Asian nations, will be staged in Vietnam in December.
The Indonesian cycling team has been the dominant force in the region for the past six years, winning the majority of the gold medals at the 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 events.
The team brought home 11 of 20 gold medals on offer at the last SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.
Asked about the host's potential threat, in addition to that from traditional rivals Thailand and Malaysia, at the next Games, Sofian said it would be ideal to begin the training camp as early as possible to preserve the likely chance of retaining the honor as the overall gold winner.
"Some of us have recommended a short course. They say it would save money. We'll talk it over at the (Bali) meeting," he said, adding that ISSI would expect to groom around 30 athletes for the Games training program.
The Bali meet, which is scheduled for Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, will also elect a new chairman for the 2003 to 2007 period.
Local media have so far mentioned three candidates: Harry Sapto, Sumarsono and Permana Agung.
Harry, whose 2003 to 2007 candidacy is said to be supported by the Bengkulu, Jakarta and Central Java chapters, is the incumbent, a position he has occupied since 1983.
Sumarsono heads the East Java chapter.
Permana, currently an adviser at the Ministry of Finance, is a new name to Indonesia's world of cycling. He also joined the race for the tennis association's (PELTI's) presidency last December, only to lose to Martina Wijaya.
"Everyone has a right to run for election. An outsider as the new chairman? Why not? We would welcome him as long as he had a strong desire to learn more about national cycling," Sofian said when asked about Permana's bid.