Sepaktakraw body hopes to compete at Asiad

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)