RI ex-booters to visit Sydney

JAKARTA (JP): The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games organizers have invited two Indonesian soccer veterans to take a close look at the ongoing preparations for the globe's biggest sporting event.

Rukma Sujana and Ade Dana, both from Bandung, West Java, will fly to Sydney on Friday for an Olympic remembrance. The two soccer players donned the Indonesian colors in the first Olympics held in Australia, in Melbourne, 40 years ago.

Indonesia, a minnow, surprised soccer giant the Soviet Union, led by legendary goalkeeper Lev Yassin, with a goalless draw then. But the European side made no mistakes in the replay, sinking the Indonesians by five goals to nil.

Rukma and Ade had previously refused the honorary invitation, saying that they could not afford the tickets and daily expenses during their week-long stay in Sydney. Bandung Mayor Wahyu Hamijaya intervened at the last moment to help out the soccer veterans, Antara reported.

Former chief of Bandung-based club Persib, Yayat Ruchiat, will accompany the two former Olympians. (amd)