RI to test its skills at Arafura Games

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will use the Arafura Games as a tryout for the 19th SEA Games.

Chef de mission Indra Djati Sidi, who is also a National Sports Council official, said although most national athletes came from second string squads they were also the best in the country.

"We never send our best athletes to compete in international events," he said.

The National Sports Council will also use the event to check SEA Games participating countries' strengths.

Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam also participate in the biennial event, which starts in Darwin, Australia, today and runs until May 17.

"I hope we can evaluate our athletes performances at the Arafura Games to observe our strengths and weaknesses," Indra said.

The council's chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, encouraged athletes to do their best to achieve their targets.

"Don't be afraid of failing to achieve the target. On the contrary, we have to motivate ourselves to reach them," he told athletes.

The national squad of 115 left Tuesday and Friday.

Wismoyo urged Indra to be responsible for the contingent's success.

"Don't bluff big results if you can't make it," he said.

From seven sports, only badminton and boxing officials were optimistic about winning gold medals.

Badminton coach Herry Imam Pringadi said he was optimistic his shuttlers could win all seven gold medals on offer.

Lydia Djaelawidjaja, Carmelita, Nunung DZ and Yuli Marfuah are in the women's side, while Rudy Wijaya, Seng Kok Keong, Nunung Subandoro and Hendrawan are in the men's side.

Boxers Dufri Masihor, Wilpare Jamhur, Martin Sihombing, Otong Kosasih, Ade Alfons, Meckson Barataman and Damianus Jordan all hope to win six gold medals.

Antara reported that gymnastics training boss, Frederick Huma, said Indonesia's four artistic gymnasts - Sherly Novitasari, Eliningsih, Nurfiana Akhmadi and Helda Sulistina - were not given targets.

"Their participation at the Arafura Games is a tryout for the 19th SEA Games," he said.

"The more they compete, the more experience they will get," he said.

This is the first time Indonesia will compete in the biennial event.

In 1993 Indonesia was only represented by Bali, which won three golds.

Indonesian athletes will compete in 52 events from seven sports - badminton, boxing, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming and track and field.

The Suara Pembaruan daily reported that Brunei, China, Chinese Taipei, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nauru, Caledonia, New Zealand, Marinas, Forfolk Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samon, Salomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Thailand, Tango, the United States of America, Vietnam and host Australia will compete in the eight-day Games. (yan)