Lisapaly, noted sports official dies of cancer

JAKARTA (JP): Arnold Lisapaly, one of the country's longest serving sports officials, died on Thursday at Pondok Indah Hospital in South Jakarta.

Arnold, who would have turned 70 in August, struggled with lung cancer over the past few years.

Better known as Oom (Uncle) Arnold, he devoted himself to the National Sports Council (KONI) since 1966. He retired four years ago, although KONI continued to seek his advice.

Arnold is survived by three children and a grandson. His wife, Ida Saelan, died in 1974.

His body is laid out at his home in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta, and will be buried at Menteng Pulo cemetery in South Jakarta on Friday.

Born in Pekalongan, a Central Java coastal town, Arnold graduated from Bandung's Padjadjaran State University in 1962 with a degree in sports education. He earned his masters degree from the University of Georgia in 1965.

The former track and field athlete served a brief stint in the diplomatic corps. He was posted at the Indonesian Embassy in West Germany on the cultural affairs staff from 1968 to 1973.

He was named the chief of the national training center in 1977, a position he held until he retired from KONI. He also led the national team to international sporting events, including the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, as the deputy chef de mission.

KONI named him an adviser to the national team for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok last December.

Mohammad Sarengat, KONI deputy chief of athletes development affairs, hailed Arnold as an expert on sports.

"The Indonesian sports community has lost a noble man. As far as I know, Pak Arnold suffered from lung cancer for more than a year. But he remained fit to observe our athletes' performance during the last Asian Games in Bangkok. He dedicated his life to sports, even when he was sick," Sarengat, the former Asian record holder for the 100 meters, said.

Mochamad Hindarto, KONI's chief of athletes development affairs, said he suggested that KONI should help Arnold pay his medical bills.

"I told Pak Wismoyo (chairman of KONI) that KONI should reward sports experts, including Arnold, after we met our medal target at the Asian Games. If athletes and coaches receive bonuses, either cash or insurance, the sports experts deserve the same thing."

"Pak Arnold was hospitalized, but who pays the medical bills? Not KONI, but his family. We need to give more attention to our experts," Hindarto said. (yan/amd)