Seven bumped from SEA Games squad

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association has bumped seven athletes from the 19th SEA Games training squad.

The athletes -- from the squad of 78 in training in Jakarta, Lembang (West Java), and Houston (Texas) -- are Subeno, Abdul Manan, Nicodemus Rirene, Engelbert Weyai, Ahmad Nursianto, Rachman Deviandi and Wisnu Nugroho.

Track and field training manager, Tigor Tanjung, said he was still trying to decide whether to send them home or keep them on as sparring partners for the other athletes.

Kompas reported that the association would invite 14 athletes to join the squad based on their achievements at the Indonesian Open track and field championships last month.

They are Raquel Soselisa, Indriastuti, Dede Irawati, Ni Nyoman Ayu, Ike Suwarni, Santi Nelwan, Ruwiyati, Tri Asih Handayani in the women's side; and Dahlan, Johny Thenu, Yulius Lewol, Hisam Alwani, Turiman and Sodik in the men's side.

The association sent the athletes letters inviting them to join the team on Sept. 1. It said it would give them until Sept. 7 to respond. If they do not respond the association will not call them again.

"We are calling these athletes because we think they meet our requirements although some of them did not make the qualifying times," Tigor said.

The association has already selected some of the athletes for the 44 track and field events, but the selection process for other events -- the men's and women's 100m, men's and women's 200m, men's 400m, men's 800m, men's and women's 4x100m relay, men's and women's 4x400m relay and marathon -- is still continuing.

The final team will be announced when the association formally registers it for the Games in mid September.

Games regulations stipulate that each participating country can send only two athletes for each event.

The association wants to win seven of the 44 track and field golds.

Indonesia won seven golds at the 1995 Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (yan)