Dutch visa delay leaves Santia stuck in park

Dutch visa delay leaves Santia stuck in park

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The holdup in obtaining a visa has forced national cyclist Santia Tri Kusuma to put off for a third time her departure to train with a team in the Netherlands.

Cycling Association of Indonesia (ISSI) secretary-general Sofian Ruzian said on Wednesday the visa was scheduled to be issued on Monday, but the Dutch embassy requested the submission of more supporting documents.

"We have been asked to submit the letter from Santia's club in the Netherlands and its financial report," he told reporters at his office in Bung Karno Stadium Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

He added that embassy officials promised the issuance of the visa in two days' time.

Santia, part of the elite Indonesia Awakens (IA) training program, was initially expected to leave for the Netherlands on May 12, but could not due to the lack of a visa.

Last week, ISSI said Santia, the winner of a bronze medal in the 24 km point race at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, might be granted the visa by June 7.

Santia has been recruited by women's club R en TC Groenewoud for three months as part of her training for the 2005 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila in November, and the 2006 Asian Games.

The 24-year-old native of Malang, East Java, will also participate in a series of races in Europe for the Dutch club.

"The Dutch club became interested in her when it saw her in a World Cup series competition in Australia," ISSI referees commission member Eva Catharina, who will accompany Santia to the Netherlands, said last week.

Sofyan also expected Indonesia would win five golds in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila, one better than its tally at the 2003 Games.