Pelti juniors for Czech training

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) plans to send six junior players in mid-May to train in Brno, the Czech Republic, before competing in a number of tournaments in Europe.

Pelti's deputy of junior players' development, Deddy Prasetyo, said on Thursday that Czech tennis coach Ladislav Travniczech offered to train the Indonesian players at his tennis camp.

"We are considering sending six players because it is much cheaper than if we only send two. Pelti has to pay US$4,000 a month for two players," he said.

Travniczech, nicknamed Lada, trained Indonesia's top player, Wynne Prakusya, at his camp in 1996. The $4,000 monthly fee covers the training and accommodation fees in Brno.

"Lada will arrange which tournaments our players will compete in, then Pelti has to transfer the money for the tournaments' admission fees," Deddy said, adding the players were expected to compete in European tournaments from May to September.

"Our players may not be able to reach their peak form without first adapting to the situation in Europe. That's why we are accepting Lada's offer," he said.

Pelti has yet to name the six players to be sent to Brno. Deddy said the number of players taking part in the training in the Czech Republic could change depending on the association's financial condition.

Pelti spokesman Benny Mailili said Pelti expected tennis coach Gebhard Gritsch to arrive here by the end of May to hold coaching clinics and workshops.

"We have contacted Gebhard and he accepted our proposal. He will hold his clinics in July and August in seven provinces: Jakarta, West Java, East Java, West Sumatra, Bali, South Sulawesi and North Sulawesi," he said.

Gritsch led Indonesia's women's team to a clean sweep at the 19th Southeast Asian Games, with the team winning gold in the women's singles, the women's doubles and the women's team event.

Gritsch also will help in the development of a number of junior players by coaching Hendri Davin, Johan Samawi, Ferza Gautama and Naharuddin.

"Gebhard will probably bring the four players to his clinics. They will be coached and also will serve as models during the clinics," Benny said.

Benny said he was relieved a number of state enterprises -- Bank BRI, Bank BNI, Bank Exim, PT Gas Negara, Aneka Tambang and Pertamina -- had agreed to sponsor the second leg of the men's future tournaments.

Pelti put up $15,000 in prize money and Rp 50 million ($5,882) to stage the events. (yan)