SEOUL (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - This is supposed to be the summer when Oh Sek-Eun shows his immense talent to the world.

The Korean big man followed an impressive 2011 FIBA Asia Championship when he helped his country capture a bronze medal with a very impressive display in the KBL with Anyang KGC.

Oh played so well that he was voted the MVP of the league.

Now, less than two weeks from the start of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Caracas, Venezuela, Oh is trying to shake off an ankle injury that has been the talk of the basketball airwaves back home.

He's confident he'll overcome the knock and be able to help Korea in Venezuela.

"It's a complex problem," Oh said.

"I am thinking I am not resting it enough. It's a case of continuous working out.

"There are more than two weeks left. I am counting on making it."

There is a sense of urgency for the 25-year-old Oh to be the leading man for Korea, now.

Korea are moving into the post Kim Joo-Sung era.

There is also the desire of Oh himself to team up with a couple of other bright young talents in the Korean set-up.

Oh is eager to play with Kim Jong-Kyu (Kyung-Hee University) and Lee Jong-Hyun (Kyungbokgo HS).

"There is so much fun playing with these guys," he said.

Korea are in Group C of the OQT with the Dominican Republic and Russia.

The Koreans played at the OQT in Athens four years ago but lost to Slovenia and Canada to fall out of contention for a spot at the Beijing Games.

The Koreans are trying to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1996 when they came in 12th in Atlanta.


FIBA