Sepaktakraw body hopes to compete at Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Sepaktakraw Association chairman, Beddu Amang, has expressed hope that sepak takraw would still feature in the 13th Asian Games (Asiad) in Bangkok in December despite rumors that the Bangkok Games Organizing Committee might omit the sport from the quadrennial event.

"We all, specially the athletes, will be very disappointed if sepak takraw isn't contested at Asiad due to a lack of participants. We're number three in Asia, even in the world," Beddu said after installing the association's Jakarta officials.

Thailand ranks first and Malaysia is second.

There have been reports that Indonesia would most likely pull out of the sepaktakraw event after the organizing committee omitted pencak silat as one of the exhibition sports during the Games. The organizing committee will only exhibit Thai boxing and sports dance.

Early this week, the National Sports Council's training director, Muhammad Hindarto, said sepak takraw would be omitted if Indonesia withdrew from competing in the sport because it would leave only three participating countries.

According to Hindarto, two of the three are Thailand, Malaysia and the third nation would be either Vietnam or Singapore.

Asiad regulations say that at least four countries must compete in each sports event.

Beddu said: "We'll follow whatever the council decides. We also understand the council's financial condition but whatever the decision is, we'll be ready."

Sepaktakraw offers six golds: one in each the men's and women's team, the men's and women's regu (consisting of three teams) and the men's and women's circle.

The association's branches have groomed athletes for the Games with full financial backing from the association.

"Except for the national training in September, the council will fully finance it," said Beddu, who is also the State Logistics Agency chairman.

The association and its branches receive financial assistance from provincial logistics agencies, the association of Indonesian sugar and flour distributors, Bank BRI, Bank Bukopin and Bank Duta for athletes' development operational fees.

Due to the country's economic turmoil, the association has canceled plans to contract two Malaysian coaches for a year.

Beddu said Indonesia's toughest rivals in the Games would be Thailand and Malaysia. (yan)