SEAG tem hopes to get Yayuk back

JAKARTA (JP): The 19th SEA Games team training director, Djoko Pramono, said yesterday that he hoped Yayuk Basuki would join the team despite her letter of refusal.

He said the National Sports Council would find a solution and discuss it with the Indonesian Tennis Association.

"The problem has been discussed within the association. After the council has consulted the association, we will find a solution," he said.

Yayuk, world ranked 24, was uncertain whether to join the Games squad or fulfill her ambition of making the world's top 20.

Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, the association's chairman, said last week: "It's Yayuk that must decide what's best for her. It doesn't depend on us, the association's officials."

The association has raised US$10,000 cash to help Yayuk make the top 20.

Antara reported that Yayuk submitted a letter to the association Sunday, stating that she would not play in the Games.

Djoko said there were mixed opinions on Yayuk's refusal.

"What if she fails to reach the top 20 while missing the Games," he said.

"We must dare to take a risk by deciding our priorities," he said.

Djoko said he would talk to Yayuk in person after consulting the association.

"1996 was Yayuk's year," said Sarwono.

Yayuk reached the French Open's third round in May and lost to former number-one Steffi Graf of Germany in Wimbledon's opening match in June. She reached the Canada Open's semifinals in August but failed in the second round of the Acura Tennis Classic a week later. The 26-year-old only reached the first round of the US Open in August but cruised to the Advanta Championships' semifinals in November.

Games team tennis director Benny Mailili said that Yayuk's refusal would make it harder for the team to win at the Games.

"It depends on us how we answer the challenge, which is to win at least one gold at the Games," he said. (yan)