PASI eyes six golds in SEA Games

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) is keeping to a conservative target of six golds for the 2005 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in Manila in November.

PASI secretary-general Tigor Tandjung said on Tuesday the target was a realistic one because local athletes still lagged behind those from neighboring countries.

"We want to win more golds than we did two years ago in Vietnam, where we won four golds," he said at a press conference about the achievement of Indonesian marathon runners in a series of Asian races sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank.

PASI head of development affairs Budi Dharma said top-place finishes were expected from 110 meters men's runner Edi Zakaria, men's pole vaulter Nunung Jayadi, women's marathon runner Feri Marince Subnafeu, the javelin throw in the men's division, the hammer throw in the women's division and the men's 800 meters through Ahmad Sakeh. The latter is currently training in Germany.

Results have been encouraging, with Feri taking second place at the Feb. 27 Hong Kong Marathon in a time of 2:44.19.

Nutrition options for the athletes have also been improved.

"Edi Zakaria's weight has increased three kilograms, but his performance is also getting better," he said.