Local divers qualify for Sydney

JAKARTA (JP): Young divers must gain experience in international events as a way to prepare them to become world- class divers, a former national diver has said.

Myrna Sukasah said in a telephone interview on Saturday from Amsterdam that qualifiers Shenny Ratna Amelia (women's platform) and Muhammad Nasrullah (men's platform) for the Olympic Games in Sydney in September really made her happy.

"I'm very happy and proud of them. They have their ambition and goals to perform in the biggest sports event in the world. But we shall not speak on their chance to bring home medals. It's too early," said Myrna, who is also the Indonesian Swimming Federation official in charge of the organization.

Until now, Indonesia has not qualified a diver after Myrna, who competed in the 1972 Olympics in Berlin.

"It's good to groom younger athletes, specially in technical and mental aspects. They can learn a lot from better divers in the event," said Myrna, who attended an International Congress on Women and Sports in Paris last month.

Shenny qualified for the Olympics after competing in the 1999 Southeast Asian Games in Brunei Darussalam, while Nasrullah qualified after competing in the Sixth Asian Swimming Championships in Pusan, South Korea, last month.

Shenny will compete in the Pacific School Games in Melbourne at the end of April, the Diving Grand Prix series in Xian City, China from May 28 to May 30 and in Hong Kong from June 2 to June 4. She will also compete in the National Games in Surabaya from June 19 to June 30.

Both Shenny and Nasrullah will be coached by Zhung Shaozhen in a six-week overseas stint in Beijing starting in July. (yan)