Yanes suffers from malaria

JAKARTA (JP): National men's sprinter and 2000 Olympic Games qualifier Yanes Raubaba will likely miss the Asian Track and Field Championships in Madya stadium here from August 28 to August 31 after he became ill with malaria on Friday morning.

Coach Pieter Noya gave his assurance that Yanes's illness would not prevent him from competing in the quadrennial event.

Yanes has qualified in the men's 100m dash and the 4x100m relay, along with Sukari, Subakir and John Murray. Indonesia has also qualified women's sprinter Irene Truitje Joseph in the 100m dash and Erwin Heru Susanto in the men's 100m dash.

"I want Yanes to skip the Asian meet. It's better for him to rest and restore his physical condition. Moreover, he has qualified for the Olympics and his participation in the Asian meet is only aimed at giving him meet training before he goes to Sydney," Pieter said.

He also said that women's long jumper Nyoman Rae Trisandiana had a problem with her vision.

"Nyoman has missed training for three days and she is at her parent's home in Magelang, Central Java. She will return to Jakarta on Sunday. I'm sure she can take part in the Asian meet," he said.

Nyoman is expected to qualify in the long jump 'B' limit of 6.50m and in the triple jump's 'B' limit of 13.95m in the Asian meet, which is a pre-qualifying round for the Olympics.

Two others athletes, women's long-distance runner Supriati Sutono and men's pole vaulter Nunung Jayadi, are also expected to qualify in the event. (ivy)