Pabbsi uneasy over Lisa's disobedience

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The weightlifting governing body, Pabbsi, has accused Lisa Rumbewas, who has been seeking a trainer of her own choice ahead of the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, of having revolted against the organization's procedures.

"We have invited her twice to the training camp but she did not turn up. Neither did she inform us of the reason. She has only said what was up through the media," Johanes Karsan, the training director, said after a meeting between Pabbsi officials and the National Sports Council (KONI) here on Friday.

"We appreciate the fact that Lisa is an internationally recognized athlete and as such is a national asset. But, she must follow the procedures," Karsan said.

He said that the second invitation was sent out last week.

"She says she doesn't get along with coach Lukman ... she wants to train in Lampung. Well, she should have consulted with the board. Why did she speak out about it to the media?" Pabbsi chairman Darma Surya said.

Lisa has expressed her unhappiness with Lukman, the coach assigned to her, and insisted that she wanted to train in Lampung under respected coach Imron Rosyadi.

However, it does not appear to be that easy as Imron has said that Lisa should obtain endorsement from the weightlifting body, while Pabbsi appears to be irritated by the way Lisa has conveyed her intentions and how she has responded to Pabbsi's invitations to the training camp.

Lisa, who was awarded a silver in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was not available for comment when contacted via her cell phone.

KONI has stepped in to help solve the problem by inviting Pabbsi officials to talks on Friday.

Darma said that Lisa would also have to obtain a permit from her patron in the South Kalimantan chapter.

"I don't mind if she parts with Lukman. We still have Li Xin Hui, whose coaching depth is undisputed. There must also be a settlement between Lampung and South Kalimantan," Darma said.

Darma said Pabbsi would still expect Lisa to be available for the training camp at least until August when the second round of selections will be held to determine the final lineup for the SEA Games.

But Darma did not explain whether Pabbsi would send a third letter of invitation to Lisa.

Pabbsi, which also governs powerlifting and bodybuilding, is grooming 28 lifters and 16 bodybuilders for the SEA Games, which are scheduled for Vietnam this December.