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)