ISSI skips overseas tryout due to financial problems

JAKARTA (JP): Joining the chorus, the Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) has given the same reason as other bodies -- financial shortage -- for canceling its Southeast Asian (SEA) Games overseas tryout plan.

"The National Sports Council (KONI) has informally notified me that it has regretfully turned down our proposal due to limited funds," ISSI's vice secretary-general Sofyan Ruzian told reporters on Wednesday.

The ISSI had planned to send 25 cyclists to warm up at the Asian Championships in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, from July 3 to July 16 as a part of the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Kuala Lumpur Games preparations.

"The ISSI needs some Rp 250 million (US$21,132) for the two- week event including airfares and US$50 board-and-lodging per day per person for 25 athletes," Sofyan said.

KONI is already cash-strapped in financing the Games preparations with the government only providing Rp 5.5 billion of the proposed Rp 67 billion. The main financial source is the Bung Karno Sports Complex Management Board (BPGBK) which so far has granted Rp 10 billion.

"Competing in the Asian Championships is very important to monitor our rivals at the Games. Most participants will warm up in Kaohsiung," Sofyan said.

"The ISSI has submitted the entry form by number to the organizers. It's a shame as we failed to make it there, especially since we registered in such a big number."

However, Sofyan pointed out that Indonesia still remained the leading country in Southeast Asia based upon the results of the Tour de Langkawi, Malaysia, in February.

"Our cyclists still lead the regional pack. But we must be careful in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) road race event because there is a trend to change the type of course."

"Our cyclists are used to straight roads while the organizers in Langkawi picked roads with lots of turns. It caused our top cyclist Tonton Susanto to get lost twice during the race."

The ISSI has also asked KONI to provide some Rp 1.2 billion to purchase new bicycles to meet the world cycling federation (ICU)'s new regulation saying that both front and rear wheels must have the same radius.

"The new bicycles made of composite metal cost Rp 30 million each with complete equipment. Our current bicycles are very old which also affects our cyclists' form as well as making them feel inferior," said Sofyan. But, I'm quite sure that we can achieve a good performance even with the old bicycles."

The ISSI is expecting to take nine of the 20 golds at stake in the SEA Games. (nvn)