Pelti seeks coach for SEA Games squad

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) is preparing to select a coach to train the men's team for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Pelti spokesman Benny Mailili said on Monday the association would choose the coach from 15 people invited to a one-day discussion on Tuesday.

Those invited to the discussion are Tintus Aribowo, Suharyadi, Deddy Prasetyo, Yayuk Basuki, Suzanna Anggarkusuma, Yosafat Sihombing, Soediharso, Wailan S. Walalangi, Diko Murdono, Sulistyono, Sukadiyanto, Alfred H. Raturandang, Irmantara, Atet Wijono and Hadiman.

Tintus is a former national coach who trained the Davis Cup team, Deddy is currently coaching former Davis Cup players being groomed for the SEA Games and Suharyadi is currently coaching the women's national team.

"Tintus will likely be chosen to coach the men's team because he is recognized by the players," Benny said.

He said Suharyadi and Deddy were invited to give presentations on training methods and programs to Pelti officials during Tuesday's discussion.

However, Suharyadi will not attend the discussion for undisclosed reasons, Benny said, adding that Tintus also will be unable to attend because he is in the United States. As of Monday, only seven of the invited coaches had confirmed their attendance at the discussion.

The seven coaches are Yosafat, Diko, Sukadiyanto, Alfred, Irmantara, Hadiman and Deddy.

Benny said the eight players (four men and four women) who will participate in the SEA Games will be chosen through a national selection. The selection period for the men will be from June 23 to June 26, while the women will be selected from July 1 to July 3.

On the men's side, Suwandi, Edy Kusdaryanto, Hendri Susilo Pramono, Febi Widhiyanto, Dede Suhendar, Sebastian Da Costa and Yusmawan Fahmi have confirmed they will take part in the selection process.

The women's players who have confirmed their participation in the national selection are Irawati Moerid Iskandar, Frederika Girsang, Mudarwati, Liza Andriyani, Wukirasih Sawondari, Dea Sumantri, Angelique Widjaya and Romana Tedjakusuma.

Wynne Prakusya, ranked 190 in the world, has been given an automatic berth on the SEA Games team.

The 15 players will compete against each other during the selection process.

"Each player competing in the selection will be given performance fees," Benny said, refusing to specify the amount of the fees.

"National selection must go on despite the funding crisis. Each participant, whether they win or lose, will get a performance fee," he said.

Pelti earlier planned to organize an Indonesian Masters tournament which would also have served as the selection process for the SEA Games. However, the association was forced to abandon the plan because of a lack of funds to pay the winners of the tournament.

Meanwhile, 35 karatekas and four billiard players being groomed for the SEA Games will take part in overseas training and tournaments in Malaysia, Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Karate training director Boy Crain said 20 men and two women would go to Malaysia for a one-week training session with Malaysian karatekas while 13 women karatekas would take part in the Ladies Cup in Japan from July 10 to July 11.

Four billiard players, Roby Suwarli, Alwi, Nurdin and Juanita, will leave for Chinese Taipei on June 22 to compete in the Asian billiard championships, which runs from June 25 to June 27.(ivy)