Lifter Lisa gets way in mother row
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta
The National Sports Council (KONI) and its affiliated weightlifting body PABBSI have bowed to lifter Lisa Rumbewas' demand that her mother be allowed to accompany her to Athens for the Olympics.
Lisa, who hails from Papua, reportedly left training camp on Tuesday after being informed that her mother Ida Korwa, who is also Lisa's private trainer, was not included on the list of athletes and coaches going to Athens.
PABBSI deputy secretary-general Sonny Tobing met with KONI chairman Agum Gumelar on Wednesday, with the result being that Lisa's mother will be allowed to accompany her to Athens on a tourist visa.
"We will send Lisa's mother to Athens but she will only be on a tourist visa. We cannot get an ID card for her because she is not listed as a coach," Sonny told The Jakarta Post.
Sonny said that Ida, herself a weightlifter in the 1970s, agreed with the decision and that Lisa was persuaded to return to camp on Wednesday night.
"The problem has been solved and Lisa will resume her training on Thursday morning and she will leave to Athens as scheduled on Saturday," Sonny said.
Lisa won a silver medal in the 48-kilogram division at the Sydney Olympics four years ago. One of seven lifters on the team, she will compete in the 53-kilogram division in Athens.
The weightlifting team will accompanied to Athens by three officials -- Imron Rosadi, Lukman and Chinese coach Lin Xin Hui.
KONI secretary-general Djohar Arifin told the Post it was up to PABBSI if it wanted to pay for Ida's accommodations in Athens.
"KONI will only help her process the visa but we will not pay for her accommodations and we will not be responsible for her while there," Djohar said.
He added that without an ID card, Ida would not be able to stay in the athletes' village in Athens and could not accompany Lisa during the weightlifting competition at the Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall in West Attika.
Lisa said she wanted her mother to be by her side in Athens, but realized it would be difficult if she did not have an official ID card.
"At least my mother can watch me during the competition. That will give me support to help me perform my best," Lisa said.