SEA Games women's team named

SEA Games women's team named

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi)
has named 12 players for the national women's basketball squad
for the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games following
trial games in China and Hong Kong.

"The team has made significant progress after trial sessions
abroad, especially because it members are now braver to have body
contact with their opponents," team manager Max B. Lamy told a
media conference on Tuesday.

The selected players are Novabella, Asih Yuniastuti, Wulan
Ayuningrum, Teresna Ninon Salemon and Puspa Indah Pamungkas Sari
from Jakarta, Jane Johan and Tasia Albertina of West Java, Dwi
Nofiriana, Dwi Ratna and Devy Yunita of East Java, Linda Wijaya
of Central Java and Megawati Halim of Yogyakarta.

Missing in the lineup were Ciauliana of West Java and Linda
Rusli of East Java.

"Actually, all players showed tremendous progress but still we
had to reduce the team members. Linda and Ciauliana were vying
for forward positions, for which we had a lot of good choices. If
they train harder and perform better, they will be given a chance
in the future."

Coach Wang Chang Yu said he was upbeat that his team could
reach the final.

"I haven't seen how our opponents play, but I am sure we can
reach the gold medal match. My players have improved both their
shape and skills," he said through an interpreter.

"But they must strengthen their spirit in physical battle with
their opponents."

New manager

In a separate development, the Indonesian Equestrian and Horse
Racing Association (Pordasi) has named a new project manager and
15 riders.

Alfons Tungadi replaced Johan Pitoy, who resigned as project
manager after an argument over training policies with other
Pordasi officials.

"Most officials disagree with my decision to send to Malaysia
only athletes with a chance of winning medals," Pitoy told
reporters on Tuesday.

Another source of conflict, he said, is Pordasi's intention to
cover the expenses of only the riders who pass the selection in
three events in Cinere, South Jakarta, and Lembang, West Java.

"Opposition to my policies forced me to withdraw in order to
keep the team working," he added.

Pitoy has been accused of misusing some Rp 197 million
(US$20,700) of the training fund allocated to cover riders' daily
expenses during the selection.

"I deliberately held onto the fund because Pordasi used Rp 12
million to pay a yearly fee to the equestrian world body, the
FEI. Paying the fee has nothing to do with our training," said
Pitoy.

Alfons, however, said paying the fee was a requirement for
Indonesia's participation in the SEA Games.

Indonesia expects to grab two gold medals in the three-day
event and dressage team events out of seven golds at stake in the
SEA Games equestrian events. (nvn)