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)