Developers told to set up swimming clubs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation asked
\nyesterday that real estate developers to set up swimming clubs in
\ntheir complexes to help the federation groom juniors.<\/p>\n
Rahardi Ramelan said after being installed as chairman of the
\nfederation at the National Sports Council office yesterday that
\nexpensive pool leasing has dashed many national talents' hopes to
\nmake progress.<\/p>\n
\"Many clubs have complained about the whopping amount of money
\nthey have to pay to rent pools. It will play havoc on the
\ndevelopment of junior swimmers throughout the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rahardi, who is also the vice chairman of the National
\nDevelopment Planning Board, said that if developers agree to the
\nplan, the federation will provide coaches.<\/p>\n
Rahardi said that swimmers need to train at least 10 times a
\nweek. \"Clubs cannot afford to rent pools if they have to pay for
\nevery workout,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that the federation had also asked big companies to
\nhelp small, potential clubs.<\/p>\n
The federation's newly inducted officials renewed the pledge
\nto improve Indonesia's performance in international events.
\n\"Winning more medals and setting more records are our target,\"
\nRahardi said.<\/p>\n
Rahardi also said that the federation would seek every avenue
\nto include synchronized swimming in the 19th Southeast Asian
\nGames here next year.<\/p>\n
The federation will start its campaign by contesting
\nsynchronized swimming as an exhibition in the National Games in
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
Rahardi said that synchronized swimming would give Indonesia a
\ngreat chance to win three gold medals from solo, duet and team
\nevents in the SEA Games. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are
\nIndonesia's strongest contenders in the new sport, Rahardi said.<\/p>\n
The SEA Games Council will decide on which sports will be
\ncontested next year in a plenary meeting here scheduled for
\nAugust.<\/p>\n
Rahardi said that no less than four countries had thrown their
\nweight behind the proposal.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Lukman Niode, the federation's technical director,
\nsaid that Richard Sam Bera and Temmy Kusuma had geared up for the
\nAtlanta Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
Richard is training in the Arizona State of America, and Temmy
\nwill leave for Guang Zhou, China before entering the Olympics.
\nBoth swimmer and diver saved Indonesia from embarrassment in the
\n18th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand by winning four gold
\nmedals.<\/p>\n
Lukman said that Richard, trained by American national coach
\nErnest Malisgho, will compete in the 50 and 100 meters freestyle
\nin Atlanta.<\/p>\n
Richard qualified for the Olympics after surpassing the
\nminimum standards of 20.05 seconds in 50m and 52.92 in 100m.
\nTemmy's best score of 644.85 eclipsed the standard of 540 in the
\nmen's springboard.<\/p>\n
Richard is expected to reach the semifinals in both of the
\nevents he takes enters in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
The National Sports Council included only badminton, boxing,
\nwomen's archery and women's tennis as Indonesia's hopeful events
\nin Atlanta, but will give a chance to athletes from other sports
\nto bid for the Olympics. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/developers-told-to-set-up-swimming-clubs-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}