PTMSI must improve competitions: Anton

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)