PASI eyes six golds in SEA Games

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.