'Sepak takraw' squad to train in Malaysia

'Sepak takraw' squad to train in Malaysia

JAKARTA (JP): The men's national sepak takraw squad plans to
train in Malaysia soon as preparation for the SEA Games here next
year.

"Twelve athletes, who will compete in the Games, are going to
have a stint with Malaysian athletes," Aminuddin Machmud, the
Indonesian Sepak Takraw Association's executive director, said
yesterday in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

Indonesia expects to win two gold medals from the women's team
and regu events. But in the men's events the country will face
tough challenges from Malaysia and Thailand.

"We picked Malaysia because its team is a threat to us in the
Games," Aminuddin said.

Eighteen athletes from five provinces - nine from South
Sulawesi, five from West Java, three from Central Sulawesi, one
from East Java and one from Central Kalimantan - are based at the
national training center in Ujungpandang.

Another center has also been established in Pekanbaru, Riau,
and is grooming the same number of athletes.

Antara reported that only 12 athletes from both centers will
be picked for the Games' squad.

Indonesia wants to meet either Thailand or Malaysia in the
men's team and regu finals, according to Aminuddin. Its last
notable achievement was winning the 1996 Hanoi Open International
Championship after defeating Thailand in the final. (yan)