RI pins hopes on older bowlers at SEAG

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)