PTMSI gloomy over SEAG chances

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Table Tennis Association (PTMSI) is pessimistic about fulfilling the target of two gold medals set by the National Sports Council (KONI) in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September.

"KONI has asked us to grab two golds for the men's and mixed doubles. To be honest, it will be difficult for us to get even one gold," PTMSI secretary-general Farid Rachman told The Jakarta Post on the phone.

"However, we'll do our best to fulfill the target in both events. We have arranged a calendar of activities for the players including the World Championships in Japan."

"Currently, PTMSI is grooming 10 men and 10 women players for the Games. However, only the best five in each sector will join the national squad. They will be evaluated and tested through several events."

The nearest event to test the players' skill is the All-Star matches in Bali which start Thursday through to Saturday.

"The event is not sanctioned by PTMSI but we can still look for talented players as well as potential players for the SEA Games. Another event is the Indonesian Table Tennis Invitation (Silatama) from March 1 to March 3 in Jakarta," said Farid.

"We will field our players in all available events as part of our preparation for the Games. PTMSI expects all players to perform their best because they will be closely evaluated."

One of PTMSI's highest targets, besides the Games, is the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, from April 23 to May 5.

"Prior to the championships, we will have friendly matches with two or three local clubs in Shanghai, China, on April 7 and April 8," Farid said.

"We will select players for the championships on April 13 and April 14 after the Shanghai tour."

PTMSI is expecting the players to give their best performance in the world championships to avoid being relegated to lower divisions.

"The women players will try to stay in the first division and the men players will do their best to be promoted to the first division," said Farid.

"There are 24 countries in each of the first, second and third divisions. Eight countries will be promoted to a higher division and another eight will be demoted from each division," he added. (nvn)