RI volleyballers join Aspac tourney

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) sent its top four male beach volleyballers to Thrang and Pattaya in Thailand, on Wednesday to compete in the Asia Pacific beach volleyball tournament attended by 10 countries.

PBVSI spokesman Ahmed Solihin said the four athletes -- Agus Salim, Irilkhun Shofana, Iwan Sumoyo and Anjas Asmara -- were set to finish in the top three in the second tournament in Pattaya.

The tournament, however, does not serve as a prequalification for the 2000 Olympics.

Ahmed said the four would participate in eight out of sixteen world series tournaments, slated from June to August, to qualify for the Olympics. He said the athletes would only begin competing in June, instead of the series start in January, because of preliminary training commitments in West Nusa Tenggara in March.

The International Volleyball Association will announce the 16 beach volleyball teams to qualify for the Olympics next July. Each team comprises two players except for Olympic host Australia which is allowed three athletes. (ivy)