KONI gathers info on SEA Games from sports reporters

JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council (KONI) officials met with sports journalists on Saturday to gather input on the training preparation for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month.

The discussion was chaired by KONI's official in charge of athletes development, Mochammad Hindarto, and SEA Games training director Imron ZS.

Hindarto said the discussion's results would be included in a report on the training progress before he set up a tentative lineup.

KONI will also invite coaches and sports officials on Tuesday to discuss the team lineup and the contingent's chances to win more than 70 golds.

By then, Hindarto would decide which of the 448 athletes from 20 sports will compete in the biennial event.

KONI's chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, is expected to approve the tentative lineup on Wednesday as the SEA Games list of athletes entry form will be submitted personally by Hindarto to the Games organizers in Bandar Seri Begawan on Friday. The deadline for entries is July 10.

In the two-hour discussion, sports journalists provided information on poor performance of some sports during their warm ups, including badminton, basketball, hockey and soccer.

Hindarto said he would ask the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) officials to ensure its target to win five golds in the Games.

"I want to reconsider PBSI's recommendation to send its second stringers because it aims to win five golds. I will ask the officials on Tuesday if PBSI has to send several top players, including Taufik Hidayat or Hendrawan, in the team," he said.

Hindarto was convinced by journalists that the national basketball team was serious in its preparation as its players have improved their physical condition.

Speaking on the hockey team, Hindarto said he would wait for the coach to arrange a tryout schedule in the remaining one-month training period before including the sport in the contingent.

Imron said there was still a possibility to expel some sports, especially those which were unprepared for the event.

"We'll recommend which sports must be expelled due to their poor preparation. But the final decision is in Pak Wismoyo's hands," he said.(ivy)