Sepaktakraw on the ball for Cebu challenge

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National sepaktakraw athletes are expected to come home with more than the meager two bronze from 2003's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"We have the chance to win hoop sepaktakraw if we continue to score 650, because our rivals are averaging 600 to 620," Indonesian Sepaktakraw Association (Persetasi) secretary-general Tirowali said on Wednesday.

Three events -- team, double and hoop sepaktakraw -- are featured in the men's and women's divisions respectively in this year's 23rd SEA Games, where the traditional Southeast Asian ball game will be held in Cebu, the Philippines.

Team and double sepaktakraw involve contests over a net; in the hoop version, a player must make a hoop of his arms behind his back, and then kick the ball through the hoop so that it also passes through a hoop suspended in the air to score.

Tirowali gave Indonesia an even chance to triumph in the men's team event, and slightly better prospects for the men's doubles.

"But in those events we have tougher competitors such as Malaysia and Thailand," he said.

During the tryout in Malaysia, Indonesia finished third in men's doubles behind Thailand and Malaysia, but ahead of Myanmar.

"But our play is improving thanks to the earlier 55-day tryouts in Thailand with the assistance of Thai coach Somkiet Sungsatitanon," he said.

Tirowali said it would be difficult for the women's squad to win medals due to the dominance of Thailand and Vietnam.

"One and two players are new, while the rest are experienced players," Tirowali said. "So we can expect them to better their achievement in the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam."

Men's team

M. Nasru
Yudi Purnomo
Husni Uba
Edy Suwarno
Wisnu Dwi Suhantoro
Hadi Mulyono
Jusri Pakke
M. Suardi
Suko Hartono

Women's team

Rike Media Sari
Mersi Pabarrung
Albertin Suryani
Dewi Handayani
Mawarni Pilsora
Jumasiah
Suriama
Waode Daano Mega Citra Kusumadewi