Volleyball team off to Australia

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Volleyball Association's executive director, Rita Subowo, said yesterday the association had canceled its plan to send the best beach volleyball team of Engel Bertha Kaize and Risma to the World Championships events next month.

"Instead, we'll use the budget to send them on an overseas stint in Sydney and Perth, Australia, for about two months. Their absence won't influence their world rankings because the Olympic Games qualification starts next year," she said.

Rita also said the team would compete in local competitions during the stint.

Association chairwoman Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana said after officially opening the National Junior Indoor Volleyball Championships that the federation would provide the budget to send the athletes to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

"The association is sticking to its commitment to send its beach volleyball team to the Asiad," she said.

The National Sports Council has included beach volleyball as a potential medal-winning sport. (yan)