ISSI skips overseas tryout due to financial problems

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)