Developers told to set up swimming clubs

Developers told to set up swimming clubs

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation asked
yesterday that real estate developers to set up swimming clubs in
their complexes to help the federation groom juniors.

Rahardi Ramelan said after being installed as chairman of the
federation at the National Sports Council office yesterday that
expensive pool leasing has dashed many national talents' hopes to
make progress.

"Many clubs have complained about the whopping amount of money
they have to pay to rent pools. It will play havoc on the
development of junior swimmers throughout the country," he said.

Rahardi, who is also the vice chairman of the National
Development Planning Board, said that if developers agree to the
plan, the federation will provide coaches.

Rahardi said that swimmers need to train at least 10 times a
week. "Clubs cannot afford to rent pools if they have to pay for
every workout," he said.

He said that the federation had also asked big companies to
help small, potential clubs.

The federation's newly inducted officials renewed the pledge
to improve Indonesia's performance in international events.
"Winning more medals and setting more records are our target,"
Rahardi said.

Rahardi also said that the federation would seek every avenue
to include synchronized swimming in the 19th Southeast Asian
Games here next year.

The federation will start its campaign by contesting
synchronized swimming as an exhibition in the National Games in
September.

Rahardi said that synchronized swimming would give Indonesia a
great chance to win three gold medals from solo, duet and team
events in the SEA Games. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are
Indonesia's strongest contenders in the new sport, Rahardi said.

The SEA Games Council will decide on which sports will be
contested next year in a plenary meeting here scheduled for
August.

Rahardi said that no less than four countries had thrown their
weight behind the proposal.

Meanwhile, Lukman Niode, the federation's technical director,
said that Richard Sam Bera and Temmy Kusuma had geared up for the
Atlanta Olympic Games.

Richard is training in the Arizona State of America, and Temmy
will leave for Guang Zhou, China before entering the Olympics.
Both swimmer and diver saved Indonesia from embarrassment in the
18th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand by winning four gold
medals.

Lukman said that Richard, trained by American national coach
Ernest Malisgho, will compete in the 50 and 100 meters freestyle
in Atlanta.

Richard qualified for the Olympics after surpassing the
minimum standards of 20.05 seconds in 50m and 52.92 in 100m.
Temmy's best score of 644.85 eclipsed the standard of 540 in the
men's springboard.

Richard is expected to reach the semifinals in both of the
events he takes enters in Atlanta.

The National Sports Council included only badminton, boxing,
women's archery and women's tennis as Indonesia's hopeful events
in Atlanta, but will give a chance to athletes from other sports
to bid for the Olympics. (05)