RI selects SEA Games volleyball team
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association selected its 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men's indoor final team on May 1, volleyball training director, Sutardiono, said yesterday.
"The selection is based on the evaluation of their physical condition and technical skills through tryouts with local teams in Yogyakarta and Bandung," he said.
Four of 16 indoor male spikers -- Tiamun, Rastoni, Dedi Hartoyo and Teguh Heru Wiyono -- had to return home after failing to be chosen.
Three of eight women's beach volleyballers -- Siti Sri Kunafa, Yohana Elisabeth and Fransina Une Putty -- also had to return home.
The men's beach volleyballers will undergo final selection by the end of June.
Sutardiono did not say when the indoor female team would be selected.
The women's volleyball indoor team leaves for Japan today and will be there from May 10 to May 28.
The team will then compete in the Asia Pacific championships in Fukuoka, Japan, from June 25 to June 29. It will also take part in the World Championships qualifying round in Chang Du, China, from June 27 to June 29.
After the championships, the team will probably stay in Japan for another tryout.
The men's indoor volleyball team will take part in the Universiade in Sicily, Italy, from Aug. 20 to Aug. 30.
The women's beach volleyballers will compete at the World Series tournaments in Japan from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, in South Korea from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17 and in China from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24.
Yachting
The Indonesian Yachting Association has canceled its program to send athletes for stints in Australia and New Zealand because of financial problems.
Yachting official Raymond Kotambunan told Antara Monday the association had planned to send 20 yachting athletes and 11 surfers to tournaments in both countries from April 24 to April 28.
"But we canceled the plan because we fell short of funds, it would have cost Rp 70 million (US$29,170)," he said.
The association tried to contact its patron, PT Pembangunan Jaya, which is chaired by conglomerate Ciputra, but to no avail.
"Ciputra agreed only to renovate the venues at the Marina Jaya Ancol and only made contact with the consortium," Raymond said.
The association will replace the training by sending brothers Pudji Ganefo and Kris Subiantoro to the Fireball Championships in England from May 24 to May 28.
Ten of 42 athletes have been relegated from the SEA Games team. Eight of the remaining 32 are surfers and the rest are yachting athletes.
Tennis
Austrian Gritsch Gebhard is training Indonesia's women's tennis team for the next Games.
Gebhard, who trained Thomas Muster, said Indonesia could win gold medals in the men's singles, men's doubles, women's team and men's team events.
The Austrian is assisted by coaches Wailan Walalangi and Deddy Prasetyo in setting up training programs.
Gebhard would accompany Fed Cuppers Wynne Prakusya and Eny Sulistyowati at the Santa Croce Junior championships in Rome from May 12 to May 18 and the Italian Junior Championships in Milan from May 17 to May 24.
Antara reported that Gebhard hoped Indonesian players could narrow the gap between them and professional athletes in the future.
Gebhard will try to improve athletes' physical condition before giving them technical training.
The technical training will be done after national selection in June. (yan)