Indonesia to submit 523 names for Games

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 10/02/2007 3:49 PM

Indonesia plans to submit 523 names for the Dec. 6-16 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand, after axing 107 athletes from the initial list of 623, SEA Games task force chief Achmad Sutjipto said Monday.

""We currently have 511 athletes prepared for the Games and are waiting on 12 athletes, who are still undergoing the final screening process, to join the squad. But we will submit a total of 523 names to the SEA Games organizing committee, including those on the waiting list,"" he said.

The deadline for listing athletes' names is Oct. 8.

Sutjipto said those on the waiting list were mostly from track and field, who will compete at the Thailand Open from Oct. 3-6 and Malaysia Open in mid-November.

""We need to get their best records, especially in the team events, such as the 4x400m and 4x100m relays.""

He said in order for the athletes to qualify to join the national team, their records from both events needed to exceed those made by silver medalists in the 2005 Philippines SEA Games.

Indonesia will compete in 39 of the 44 sports in the biennial event.

""We are aiming to win at least 64 gold medals from a potential 72.""

The SEA Games offers a total of 485 gold medals.

""Thailand will be the toughest to beat in the Games,"" he said. ""But we can contest other strong countries like the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.""

Once a dominant contender in the Games, Indonesia's achievements have gone downhill since the 1999 Games, where it finished third after Thailand and Malaysia. Two years ago, Indonesia dropped further to finish fifth. -- JP

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