Pakistani to be hired for squash sparring partner

Pakistani to be hired for squash sparring partner

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Squash Association (PSI) is
hiring Pakistani Asaz Azmat as a sparring partner for its men's
team in preparation for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
Brunei Darussalam next month.

Coach Bambang Gatot Subroto said on Monday Asaz would soon
arrive in the country.

"The organization is handling his transportation and
accommodation. Asaz is world ranked in the 30s and he will
receive a US$1,000 fee to be our sparring partner for about two
weeks," he said, adding that top PSI officials had approved the
appointment.

Indonesia is preparing Johnny Supardi, Nuryanto, Donny Manik
and Abdul Manaf for the Aug. 7 to Aug. 15. biennial event.

PSI had planned to send the four athletes for an overseas
training session in Hong Kong, but canceled the move to engage
the services of a world-class player.

"We also did the same thing two years ago when we prepared for
the Games here. We won three bronzes, thanks to Raees Khan of
Pakistan. Raees has been sparring with the Filipinos for seven
months," Bambang said.

He said the team would again aim to collect three bronzes.

"We will face a tough challenge from Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysia will field defending champion Kenneth Low and second
best Ong Bing Hee, while Singapore is likely to field Peter Hill.
But I heard the country's association is having problems, because
Hill asks for HK$250 per hour if Singapore wants him to defend
his own country.

"If Singapore doesn't include Hill in the team, I hope we can
steal a silver," he said.

In 1997, Malaysia made a clean sweep of the medals, with four
golds and two silvers in both men's and women's individual and
team events. Singapore trailed in second place by bagging two
silvers and three bronzes, while Indonesia grabbed three bronzes.

Indonesia will not field it's women's team this year due to
the women's lack of fitness.(yan)