Less events in SEA Games affect rowing target

Less events in SEA Games affect rowing target

Moch. N. Kurniawan
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

National canoeists shone in the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games, accounting for eight of the team's 12 rowing golds, but
their chances have been slashed for this year's event.

Rowing -- consisting of rowing, canoeing and dragon boat
racing -- have 24 events this year, five less than in Vietnam two
years ago.

Rowing has nine events, one more than two years ago; canoeing
has seven, a sharp drop from the 15 in Vietnam; and dragon boat
racing has nine divisions, up from six.

The medal target for this year's Games -- to be held in the
Philippines from Nov. 27-Dec. 5 -- have been adjusted down
because of the changes since Vietnam.

"We have a low target this year, only six golds," Indonesian
Rowing Association (PODSI) secretary-general Budiman Setiawan
said recently.

"We won eight golds from canoeing two years ago and four from
rowing, but as the canoeing events have been reduced, our chance
to win golds also weakened."

Each of the disciplines is expected to contribute two golds.

A total of 67 athletes are in training at Jatiluhur dam,
Purwakarta, West Java, about two hours' drive from Jakarta. Most
of the athletes, with the exception of women dragon boat racers,
have international experience.

Budiman said the athletes were expected to maintain their form
for the Philippines, where competition will be tough.

In men's rowing, Indonesia will vie for gold with the host
team and Vietnam, with Thailand following close behind.

In women's rowing, Vietnam is considered the strongest team.

In men's and women's canoeing, Vietnam and Myanmar will
present a challenge.

In the men's dragon boat competition, the Philippines and
Myanmar are the favorites; in the women's event, Vietnam and
Myanmar lead the region.