Rowing has low target with fewer golds on offer

Rowing has low target with fewer golds on offer

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National canoeists shone in the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, accounting for eight of the team's 12 rowing golds, but their chances have been slashed for this year's event.

Rowing -- consisting of rowing, canoeing and dragon boat racing -- have 25 events this year, four less than in Vietnam two years ago.

Rowing has nine events, one more than two years ago; canoeing has seven, a sharp drop from the 15 in Vietnam; and dragon boat racing has nine divisions, up from six.

The medal target for this year's Games -- to be held in the Philippines from Nov. 27-Dec. 5 -- have been adjusted down because of the changes since Vietnam.

"We have a low target this year, only six golds," Indonesian Rowing Association (PODSI) secretary-general Budiman Setiawan said recently.

"We won eight golds from canoeing two years ago and four from rowing, but as the canoeing events have been reduced, our chance to win golds also weakened."

Each of the disciplines is expected to contribute two golds.

A total of 67 athletes are in training at Jatiluhur dam, Purwakarta, West Java, about two hours' drive from Jakarta. Most of the athletes, with the exception of women dragon boat racers, have international experience.

Budiman said the athletes were expected to maintain their form for the Philippines, where competition will be tough.

In men's rowing, Indonesia will vie for gold with the host team and Vietnam, with Thailand following close behind.

In women's rowing, Vietnam is considered the strongest team.

In men's and women's canoeing, Vietnam and Myanmar will present a challenge.

In the men's dragon boat competition, the Philippines and Myanmar are the favorites; in the women's event, Vietnam and Myanmar lead the region.