Sakeh set for 2-year outing in Germany
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.