RI upbeat on SEA Games rowing

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rowing and canoeing teams finished first in the 5th SEA Rowing Championship in Purwakarta, West Java on Sunday, buoying its hopes for another triumphant run at the 19th Southeast Asian Games here next year.

The host competitors won eight gold, five silver and two bronze medals at the regatta held at the Jatiluhur dam. Myanmar finished second with five golds, five silvers and two bronzes. Thailand won two gold medals and Singapore one.

"Given these results, I am sure Indonesia will dominate the rowing and canoeing events at next year's SEA Games," said Basoeki, the chairman of the Indonesian Rowing Association.

Iswandi and Danih won the first gold medal for Indonesia in the men's double sculls, leaving the Myanmarese duo Tun Myint and Zeyz Lin three seconds behind.

Myanmar took its first gold medal through Ah Mar Kyi and Khin Khin Gyi in the women's coxless pair.

Basoeki said that the performances of Indonesian rowers were more than satisfactory. "It will take their Southeast Asian rivals some time to keep up with Indonesia's feat. They may need two other SEA Games to reach our level," Basoeki boasted.

Canoeing and rowing, also Olympic medal events, have been missing from the SEA Games since 1987 in favor of traditional boat races.

Indonesia expects stiff competition from Myanmar and Laos in both the rowing and canoeing events at the 1997 SEA Games.

Basoeki said that Indonesia will also insist on the inclusion of traditional boat races, a longtime gold mine for Indonesia, in the SEA Games next year. (arf)