PBVSI eyes gold at SEA Games

SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Federation (PBVSI) is aiming to win two golds for the men's division and two silvers for the women's division at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the PBVSI deputy chairman for athletes development Putut Marhaento has said.

"We can set a high target for the men's side because we still rely on seniors for both indoor and beach volleyball events. The good side is that our juniors already have similar skills to the seniors," he said on Saturday.

"The chance is slighter for the women's side. Therefore, we are only aiming for silver."

Putut also warned that Indonesia should pay more attention to Malaysia and Myanmar, in addition to archrival Thailand.

"We have always faced Thailand in the final but next year we must pay attention to host Malaysia, which aims to get the best result. Myanmar can also pose a threat to getting the gold."

PBVSI has called on 19 men and 24 women players to be groomed in the centralized training center starting on Jan. 7.

"We call many women players because it's more difficult to find good ones in the women's side," said Putut. (har)