Perpani upbeat team to qualify for olympics

Perpani upbeat team to qualify for olympics

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani) is
still optimistic that its women's team will be able to qualify
for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Perpani secretary-general, Udi Harsono, told reporters on
Thursday that the international archery federation (FITA) would
announce which countries would join the Olympics in the women's
team event on June 26.

"FITA is waiting until April for the results of the pre-
Olympics qualifying round in the Africa, Europe and Oceania
zones," he said.

Indonesia, which won its first Olympic silver medal in 1988
for archery, has only qualified Hamdiah in the individual event
after competing in the World Championships in Riom, France, last
year.

Based on FITA regulations, only 16 countries are allowed to
compete in the Olympics' team event. Eight countries have
qualified in the World Championships while two others qualified
in the America and Asia Championships.

The remaining six tickets will be given to countries who have
two athletes qualifying for the Olympics and one on the waiting
list or one athlete qualifying and two on the waiting list.

Indonesia has Nurfitriyana and Lusia Elizabeth on the waiting
list.

Udi said Japan and Cuba had the best chance to qualify for the
first category while Indonesia still had an opportunity as it was
in the second position after Kazakhstan in the second category.

He said he would not worry that the results of the qualifying
round in the three zones would affect Indonesia's chances.

"I think only one country will qualify from Europe while
Africa and Oceania countries have a very slight chance to get the
Olympics berths," he said.

However, Perpani is still waiting for donations from the State
Secretary to be able to finance its training programs. Former
state secretary Muladi had approved help for Perpani, especially
after the organization had a debt of nearly Rp 60 million
(US$8,000) after preparing for the World championships and the
Asian Championships in Beijing last year. (yan)