PBSI eyes five golds in SEA Games

PBSI eyes five golds in SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
only aims to grab five of seven gold medals at stake in the Kuala
Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September, despite a demand
by the National Sports Council (KONI) to make a clean sweep.

The PBSI official in charge of athletes development, Mangombar
Ferdinand Siregar, said on Friday at the Indonesian Badminton
Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, that the association was only
aiming to maintain its achievement in the Brunei Darussalam SEA
Games two years ago.

"PBSI only aims to grab five of seven golds at stake because
we realize that Malaysia, a badminton powerhouse itself, will
also be intending to grab one or two golds."

Indonesia took a total of five golds in Brunei Games; men's
team, women's team, men's singles by Taufik Hidayat, women's
singles by Cindana Hartono and women's doubles by Etty Tantri and
Cynthia Tuwankotta.

Malaysia took the mixed doubles gold, thanks to Chew Choon Eng
and Chor Hooi Yee, while Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana and
Tesana Pansisavas won the men's doubles gold.

"We are focusing more on retaining the Thomas Cup next year,
and improving our performance in the Uber Cup. But most
importantly, we must maintain our (Olympic Games) success in the
2004 Athens Olympic Games," Siregar said.

"We will make the Jakarta Open, starting April 21, an
opportunity to recruit more youngsters to prepare them for bigger
events in the future."

Berita Harian quoted the Badminton Association of Malaysia as
saying that it would only be able to retain its one-gold success
in Brunei Games.

Siregar said KONI must be realistic in setting its target at
the Games, especially after it succumbed to third place after
Thailand and Malaysia in the Brunei games.

"KONI's target of grabbing 110 golds are unrealistic. It would
be more logical if it aimed at grabbing 90 of 386 golds at stake.
Pencak silat is expected to win 12 of 16 golds. The fighters will
be facing a strong challenge from host Malaysia and the new
powerhouse Vietnam," he said.

"In karate, we will also be facing Malaysia, while in wushu
the host country will have the advantage of grabbing more gold
medals. In gymnastics and swimming, we may only be able to take
three golds each."

There are 20 golds up for grabs in gymnastics and 43 in
swimming.

"Our track and field athletes are expected to win nine of 46
golds, especially in the long-distance events. Bowling, billiards
and snooker may only take one gold each."

Siregar said future 2003 Games host Vietnam will be
jeopardizing Indonesia's position as it may take 60 golds this
year.

"We can only hope that Vietnam will take golds from Malaysia
and Thailand. If it takes our gold medal hopes, we'll have no
chance of regaining the overall championship title. I am
confident that Vietnam will be performing much better than it did
in Brunei."

Vietnam finished sixth in Brunei, claiming 17 golds, 20
silvers and 27 bronzes, after Singapore and the Philippines.
(nvn)