Tennis association urged to promote young players

Tennis association urged to promote young players

JAKARTA (JP): National tennis coach Deddy Prasetyo urged the
Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) to send young players to
the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to prepare for
the larger goal in the Pusan 2002 Asian Games.

"Indonesia practically has no competition in the region,
except for Thailand. So I consider SEA Games as only an
intermediary goal to achieve higher achievements in Asiad," he
told reporters on Monday.

"Therefore, Pelti should send the youngsters to Kuala Lumpur,
especially those with potential for the next four years, instead
of old hands."

Pelti announced last week the names of tennis players to be
groomed for the Kuala Lumpur Games.

The players are veterans Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo
accompanying Suwandi, Andrian Raturandang, Hendri Susilo Pramono,
Febi Widhiyanto, Peter Handoyo, and junior player Eko Kurniawan
in the men's side.

In the women's side, Pelti called Yayuk Basuki, Romana
Tedjakusuma, Liza Andriyani, Wynne Prakusya in addition to
younger players Angelique Wijaya, Dea Sumantri, Wukirasih
Sawondari and Frederika Girsang.

"We can't use the centralized training program to prepare our
team because each tennis player has his or her own coach who
understands better," said Deddy.

"It will be better if Pelti leaves it up to the coaches to set
their individual training programs after a discussion with other
officials. Pelti then provides all the facilities and financial
assistance to support the programs."

Deddy also urged Pelti to give more attention to tennis clubs
in various cities in order to groom more young players.

"I believe that our tennis development must emphasize clubs as
the base. We must have an intensive interclub tennis league such
as in Germany."

"The problem is that we don't have enough money to support the
clubs. In return, clubs can't support their players to take part
in various tournaments," he said, adding that there were many
players with potential without enough financial support.

"Pelti should play its role as a facilitator to provide the
facilities and financial support for them, although perhaps not
everything," continued Deddy.

He stressed the importance for junior tennis players to have
as much tournament experience as possible.

"The junior players don't have to win in the tournaments
because the purpose is to evaluate their performance. It's also
important to get used to the atmosphere of a tournament," said
Deddy.

"The International Tennis Federation (ITF) states in its
manual that a junior player needs to play at least 20 times a
year. He or she should win three times. Failing that, the player
must take part in more tournaments."

Deddy also told reporters of his decision to resign from his
post as Pelti's official in charge of juniors development due to
a dispute with other officials. (nvn)