Loudry not ready to call time on career in volleyball

Loudry not ready to call time on career in volleyball

Moch. N. Kurniawan
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Although Loudry Maspaitella's first sporting love was soccer,
it's in volleyball that he has made his name.

"I loved playing soccer when I was a child and I still do, but
my father guided me to play volleyball," the 36 year old said of
his father, a former professor in sports science in Surabaya.

"Then I knew that I could play volleyball very well thanks to
my father."

Sport was in Loudry's genes, for his parents had met when both
were in national training for the 1962 Asian Games and his elder
sister, Henny, is a former national sprint champion and coach.

Loudry was called up for his debut on the national team in
1986 at 17. He played a pivotal role as his country won gold at
the 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2003 Southeast (SEA) Games, opting
out of the 1999 and 2001 Games due to study commitments.

At the national club level, Loudry helped now defunct
Petrogress to Livokarya national championship titles from 1990 to
1994.

Even today, 20 years on from his youth, the outstanding
technique that led him to being called one of Asia's best tossers
is still apparent as he captains Jakarta 46 BNI in the Sampoerna
Hijau Proliga Volleyball Championship 2005.

Wearing the number 9 jersey and standing 185 cms and 70 kg, he
led his team to four straight victories before going down to
tournament leader Jakarta Monas Bank DKI in Jakarta.

He was magnanimous in defeat, saying that the team always
fought to the end.

"Despite the tight schedule we had, we must have a big heart
to accept the defeat," he said.

"We are optimistic that we could exact revenge in the future."

The event returns to Jakarta on April 15-17.

Although he still appears fit, he said his days on the
national team were over.

"I think I will play at club level only as I have enough
contribution to the national team. Let the younger players do
their best for Indonesia."

The father of three sees a bright future for men's volleyball
in the country, with taller players who possess better technique.
Indonesia won the U-185 World Volleyball Championship last year
at home.

"For the men, I am still optimistic that we can advance in
Asia, but for the women, it is quite difficult as we have been
left too far behind by other countries."

For the future, Loudry -- an employee of Jakarta 46 BNI --
wants to work and raise his family.

"I do not think I will become a volleyball coach, I have no
talent in coaching."

Thanks to his father's advice all those years ago, he has
enjoyed a career full of golden moments.

"Winning tournaments, gold medals in SEA Games and traveling
to various countries gave me a wonderful time in volleyball."

"They will remain in my mind."