Chief of the Indonesian contigent to the 14th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), Major Inf Rudianto, said his side was optimistic that the Indonesian contingent would be able to emerge as the overall champion at the 14th AARM which is now taking place in Cilodong, West Java, from September 1 to 8, 2004.

"We have tried to the maximum in the preparation of the Indonesian athletes for the 14th AARM. We have prepared them for about nine months in an effort to win as many medals as possible," Rudianto said here Wednesday.

According to Rudianto, besides training based on the schedule, the Indonesian shooters showed high spirit to win the shooting competition.

"In addition to training on schedule, they also took good initiative to train themselves beyond the schedule and prepare themselves for the 14th AARM," the chief of the Indonesian contingent to the 14th AARM said.

To that effect, he added, the Indonesian shooters must undergo a number of tests including those on intelligent quotient, psycho test, health test and shooting skills to make them fully prepared for the championship.

Rudianto said his side found no significant problems in preparing the Indonesian contingent to the 14th AARM, except the embargo of military equipment from NATO member countries including the US but it could be handled well thanks to the help of PT Pindad which provides certain types of firearms to be used in the AARM competition.

Furthermore, Rudianto said, his side applies a motto to his contingent which must be well organized, well trained, well equiped and well paid besides luck towards becoming a champion in the shooting competition.