RI's karate hopefuls tipped motivation

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian karatekas set to fight in an international karate tournament in Jakarta next week, were injected with renewed fighting spirit by the sport's patron during a meeting here on Wednesday.

The karatekas are going to host their overseas rivals at the Indonesia Open, which will be staged at Bung Karno Tennis Indoor Stadium from June 4 to June 6.

Organizing committee chairman Hermawan Sulistyo confirmed that about 170 athletes from 17 countries would come to the event, including the hosting contenders, who are divided into two teams, Tiger and Buffalo.

With the event less than a week away, the Indonesian Karate-do Federation (Forki) said it was important to renew the athletes' motivation.

"Since you have been training hard, you must show that you can accomplish your duties. Give your best for the country," Forki chairman Luhut Panjaitan told the athletes.

"As board patron, our obligation is to care for your welfare. What we want from you in return is nothing more than your achievements," he said.

The gathering was held at the headquarters of the National Sports Council (KONI).

KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar also offered his support, saying that fighting on home turf should boost their energy levels to allow them to defeat their opponents.

Meanwhile, team coaches were overly cautious in rating their proteges' chances at the tournament.

"All of our athletes have their own chances," Zulkarnaen Purba, the head coach of the 19-strong Tiger team, told The Jakarta Post.

He singled out a few karatekas that he believed to have the best prospects, but that was only after he was prodded to be more specific.

"We can rest our hopes on Wawang Rasyid for the under 55 kilogram category and Isfan Tanjung for the under 60," he said, adding that the participants, particularly from Malaysia and Australia, would be the toughest contenders.

Among the 20 athletes on the Buffalo team, hopes for medals, according to head coach Willem Mantiri, would be pinned on six national athletes who are currently preparing for the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea.

Apart from carrying out his duties at the Indonesia Open, Willem is also responsible for the preparation of Asian Games athletes.

"If asked about the chances, I would have to say the Asian Games hopefuls have better odds than their other teammates, because they are players already at the Asian level," he said.