RI faces tough rowing qualifier

JAKARTA (JP): Asian countries whose names end with -stan stand between Indonesia and a place in the Olympic kayaking competition, according to Indonesian Rowing Association chairman Basoeki.

The countries -- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan and Kyrghizstan -- are known for their world- standard competitors. The former Soviet Union republics, together with traditional powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea, are expected to dominate the first round of the Olympic rowing qualifiers for Asian countries in Katamatsu, Japan, from May 11 to 12.

"It would not be that difficult for us if we were only to take on China, Japan and South Korea," Basoeki was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

Due to the presence of the former Soviet republics, however, Basoeki said, "the good preparations our team has made may not be enough to overcome these nations."

The two-day meet will feature rowing and kayaking events.

Basoeki said Indonesia's best chance to qualify for the Atlanta Olympics lies in the men's 500m kayak pairs and in the men's 500m kayak fours. These two events are where Indonesians particularly excel, he said.

Basoeki added, he would insist during the meet in Katamatsu that kayaking should be contested at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.

Only the top two finishers in each event in Katamatsu will be awarded the coveted Olympic places.

Indonesian kayakers took part in the Olympic Games for the first time in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, but returned home empty handed. (arf)