Preparation for the Olympics
According to the system of selection and limited field for the Olympics, Oka Sulaksana has to compete and have success in two World Championships during the next twelve months in order to secure his place at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Since he has missed the initial Qualifying Round, these events will be the IMCO World Championship in New Caledonia in November this year and the IMCO World Championship in Argentina in February 2000. For both these events Oka still needs sponsors for transport and accommodation on site.

If Oka is to be fully competitive and find that extra edge, he now has to compete regularly at the highest level. He will need to focus particularly on sailing at Sydney Harbor, the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. There are continental championships in Australia, Europe and America, in addition to the mandatory qualifying events, all of which are important opportunities for competition against the world’s best.

As the Asian Champion, Oka was sponsored by the Korean Sailboard Association for the IMCO Korean National this June, but he sill needs sponsors for transport and accommodation to the IMCO European Championship in Poland from 18th to 29th August. Transport to two events in Sydney this September, the IMCO Australian and the Sydney Harbor Regatta (Trial Olympics) have been donated, however Oka still needs to have his accommodation sponsored for both occasions.

There are four other important Australian competitions, all of which still require sponsorship. Oka is still needing: domestic transportation and accommodation for "Go for Gold" in November 1999 in Melbourne, accommodation during the Sydney International Regatta in December 1999 at Sydney Harbor, transport and accommodation for Sail Melbourne in January 2000 in Melbourne, and transport and accommodation for Sail Sydney in April 2000 in Sydney.

The program Oka needs to follow this year and next is quite demanding and, under the rules of the IASF Olympic Committee, quite exact. He must follow these requirements closely if he is to give Indonesia a chance to race at the 2000 Olympics.

There will be a maximum of 36 countries contesting in Sydney. Twelve countries have already qualified, 11 from the 1998 World Championship and Australia, who automatically have a place as the host.

After missing the 1998 World Championship, the initial Qualifying Round for Sydney 2000, Oka now must compete successfully in the following events in order to secure his place:

1999 MISTRAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
11-21 November in Noumea, New Caledonia.
2000 MISTRAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
10-12 February in Mar de Plata, Argentina.

What you can do
Probably not many of us have ever had a dream as great as winning Gold at an Olympic Games, but we all know how frustrated we can be by the circumstances that keep us from fulfilling any of our dreams, no matter how simple they may be. Oka Sulaksana’s dream is not an ordinary one and it’s also not easy to achieve. All Oka needs is a chance to prove his abilities to the world at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and you can be sure he’ll do the rest himself!

Just imagine the joy and the exposure Bali and Indonesia will get with Oka on that podium, and Oka is the perfect ambassador for Bali. To continue competing on the world’s stage he requires support from us, his neighbors and friends, who can help him getting there.

The most important part of Oka’s racing program, the 1999 and 2000 World Championships, as well as other important competition events still need to be funded. Therefore, on behalf of Oka Sulaksana, Bali and Indonesia: Let’s give the best of Bali the chance to sail against the best of the world!

If you would like to help, if you know anyone who can help or if you would like to be part of Oka’s Olympic Dream, full details of Oka, his competition program and how you can be involved are available from the contacts below:

Mark Keating, Bale Gede Contractors
Tel: (62) 361 720 796, Fax: (62) 361 720 796
Mobile (62) 811 385 714
Email :balegede@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

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