PTMSI must improve competitions: Anton
JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed officials of the Indonesian Table Tennis Association (PTMSI) are expecting to be able to intensify local tournaments at home.
Senior athlete Anton Suseno, who has qualified for the Olympic Games in Sydney in September in both the men's singles and doubles, said on Tuesday that competition was the most important thing in athlete development.
"By having regular tournaments spread over a year, many people -- from athletes, clubs and association officials to also the sponsor -- are encouraged to improve themselves to win the competition. It also indirectly gives incentive for many young talented players to perform better as they must also want to win these events," he said on the sidelines of the ceremony.
Anton expressed disappointment on PTMSI's failure to initiate an annual table tennis league called Silatama, due to the monetary crisis.
"Silatama has always been the focus of national development. When the new officials manage to improve the competition system on the senior level, they can start to develop regular junior tournaments called Sila Taruna. Then they can start intercompany or club competitions," said the 28-year-old athlete.
"Ideally, in one year we can stage 12 tournaments, which is in line with the World Grand Prix series. But if that's too hard for Indonesia, due to the economic situation, PTMSI could host about half the number."
Anton also criticized both PTMSI and National Sports Council (KONI) officials who he said were only focusing their attention on senior athletes while ignoring the juniors.
"The association should have groomed both seniors and juniors at the same time in order to prepare the younger athletes to replace us in the future."
Anton just returned from competing in the Brazilian Open early this month. He reached the top 32 in the singles and the top 16 in the doubles with partner Ismu Harinto.
"In the doubles, we have a better chance to qualify for the main draw in the Olympics as we only compete against 43 pairs compared to the singles, where I have to struggle against 64 players for the main draw."
Anton has to win all three matches if he wants to reach the main draw. In the 1996 Olympics, he won once and lost twice. (yan)