RI pins hopes on older bowlers at SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Bowling Association, Oke F Supit, said yesterday that the nation would pin its hopes on older bowlers at the 19th SEA Games in October.

"The development of bowling here is overdue. The rarity of younger players makes things worse and has forced Indonesia to rely on old hands like Poppy Tambis," he said.

Poppy, at 48 years old, is still the country's best hope.

The association only expects to win one of 12 gold medals on offer at the biennial event. It is grooming nine athletes and will pick six for the main squad.

The nine players on the women's team are Poppy, Deborah Utomo, Yani Rusger, Rosye Pikaulima, Lili Suhaimi, while David Sitorus, Gatot, Oyke Wayong and Danto make up the men's team.

Poppy, who grabbed a bronze in the last SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, said that Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines will field the strongest teams.

Antara reported that the association had hired American coach James William Godman in January to train the athletes.

In June and July, the bowlers are scheduled to take part in international events in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

In Bandung, the Indonesian Squash Association's chairman, I.B. Sudjana, said that the organization would not set targets for its Games athletes.

A total of 12 male and female athletes -- Ujang Ridwan, Asep Ridwan, Kusnadi, Ocvianus Saraga, Joni Supardi, Venny Ganang and Rusli on the men's team; Fitri Parinding, Fenny L Mokalu, Vera Diana Werat, Mira Kurniawaty and Tieneke Kijono on the women's team -- started training at the Bandung Squash Club on Jan. 17.

Women's team manager Lily Joenoes said that the association would bring over foreign coaches from Australia or Hong Kong and invite sparring partners from Pakistan. (yan)