Tennis body targets five gold medals at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association aims to win five of the seven gold medals at the 19th SEA Games here in October by recruiting the best players in the National Team Board.

A meeting on Friday, led by the association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, agreed to name Wynne Prakusya, Irawati Moerid, Wukirasih Sawondari and Liza Andriyani in the women's side.

It also named Andrian Raturandang, Suwandi, Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo in the men's side. The four players have been part of the country's David Cup team since 1994.

Tennis training director Benny Mailili told Kompas that Indonesia aimed to win the men's singles, the men's doubles, the men's team, the mixed doubles and the women's teams.

Benny said selection was based on players' achievement in recent tournaments.

Irawati, who made a comeback after retiring for more than a year after the birth of her child, is strong in the singles and doubles.

"Since she competed at the national selection and joined the national team, Irawati has shown increasing achievement," Benny said.

Liza's selection would be decided following a long discussion, Benny said, as quoted by Antara.

"The selection criteria were athletes' preparation technically, physically, mentally and their achievement. The board agreed to only refer to the last one, achievement," he said.

Liza reached the quarterfinals in the satellite tournaments in Jakarta and Bandung. Her performance was better than teammates Enny Sulistyowati and Mimma Chernovita, who joined the country's Fed Cup team.

Benny said they would have to be wary of players from Thailand and the Philippines.

Indonesia's women's team will fly to Chinese Taipei for a tournament while the men's team will compete at the international satellite tournament here.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Table Tennis Association promised to hand over a Timor car to athletes who win four gold medals at the Games.

Table tennis training director Noeryanto said Rossy Dipoyanti won four golds at the 1993 Games in Singapore in the women's singles, women's doubles, mixed doubles and women's team.

Noeryanto said Friday the association would also provide two- way tickets and accommodation for athletes' families.

The association was optimistic national athletes would be able to win more gold than at the last Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where Indonesia only won four gold, four silver and two bronze.

The association is grooming five male and five female athletes and hiring Chinese coach Xi Enting to train them.

"Enting gave us speed training program in defense, offense and services," athlete Hadiyudo told Kompas.

"I will prepare better this time although I'll face tougher rivals in the event," Rossy said. Rossy lost to Jin Juhong of Singapore at the last Games.

The association named Hadiyudo, M. Al Arkam, Ismu Harinto, Deddy Da Costa and Zainuddin in the men's side and Rossy Dipoyanti, Putri Hasibuan, Yulianti, Mulatsih and Nuni Sugiani in the women's side. (yan)