Sakeh set for 2-year outing in Germany

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) will send Ahmad Sumarsono Sakeh to Germany next month for a two-year training program as part of Indonesia's bid to enhance its medal prospects at 2006 Asian Games.

Sakeh gave Jakarta a gold medal in the men's 200-meter and 400-meter runs at the National Games (PON) in Palembang in September.

However, the 24-year-old runner is going to Germany to train in the 800 meters at the Dieter Baumann training camp in Stuttgart, according to PASI secretary-general Tigor M. Tanjung here on Wednesday.

He said that Sakeh should have a good chance of winning gold in the 800-meter run at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar.

"Ahmad Sakeh will undergo an intensified training workout in order to enhance his medal chances in the Asian Games," Tigor told reporters here on Wednesday.

Next year's Asian championship will be Sakeh's first test ahead of Qatar.

"Before the Asian Games, we hope that Sakeh can perform well next year in the Asian championship," Tigor said.

Sakeh clocked a time of 21.00 seconds and 46.74 seconds to win the 200-meter and 400-meter gold medals respectively in Palembang.

PASI is currently grooming nine athletes for the Asian Games under the Indonesia Awakens (IA) training program administered by the National Sports Council (KONI).

The other eight athletes are Edy Zakaria, Zulkarnaen Purba, Nunung Jayadi, Yan Karubaba, Herlince Tatogo, Olivia Sadi, Sundari and Triyaningsih.

While Sakeh will set out to Germany, his compatriots will take up their preparation in Jakarta and Pangalengan, West Java.

Sakeh was eager about the chance to train with German coaches, saying that it would be a great challenge for him to maximize his efforts.

"I take this challenge. The 800 requires a different strategy of training from the 200 or 400. I will work hard for that gold," he said on the sidelines of afternoon training session at the Bung Karno track and field.