Pelti seeks coach for SEA Games squad

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)