Patuan expected to stay at PRSI

Patuan expected to stay at PRSI

JAKARTA (JP): Athletes and coaches expressed hope on Friday
that the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) official in charge
of athletes development, Patuan Simatupang, would change his mind
and not resign from his post.

National women's diver Shenny Ratna Amelia said, "I'm really
sorry to hear the news but I hope Pak Patuan is still willing to
stay at PRSI."

Men's swimmer Richard Sam Bera said, "As I represent swimmers,
I hope the internal conflict can be solved soon. Whatever the
result of today's meeting, we will support it either if Pak
Patuan quits or will compromise and remain at PRSI. Even if there
is a problem within the organization, athletes will stick to our
commitment to reach our best achievements."

Swimming coach Radja Nasution said that PRSI had had good
management for less than three months.

"As a coach I feel depressed about the situation. I hope it
won't happen. If there are some people who can't join PRSI,
please resign because we are moving forward to improve our
achievements internationally."

"I don't know who deserves to be in the organization to
develop swimming in the country. But I hope Pak Patuan will
remain at his post and we promise to support him."

Patuan said on Thursday that he resigned from PRSI on Monday
and the resignation was approved by chairman Rahardi Ramelan on
the same day.

Rahardi told reporters that he had spoken to Patuan and called
other officials to have a meeting after the media briefing.

"Teamwork is really necessary in an organization. We need to
combine people who can master swimming technically with the
ability of organizational management. But this matter is not a
big deal to me. Don't blow it up too much," he said. "I don't
want to expose the problem openly to the public."

Patuan complained earlier that the official in charge of
competition, Lisa Siregar, changed the decision to stage the
national championships and the ASEAN age group championships in
Bali and wanted to move them to Jakarta.

Lisa herself denied the accusation, saying she only made
comparisons about the facilities available in Bali and Jakarta.

"I didn't veto the decision. I just made suggestions. They can
say many things and that's fine with me."

Lisa also said that she did not lie about Wisnu Wardhana's
shoulder injury.

"I consulted directly with Dr. James Tangkudung after Wisnu
fell in his house when it was flooded. It was not because he
played basketball."

PRSI will send Richard, Wisnu, twins Felix and Albert Sutanto
and Akbar Nasution in the men's side and Elsa Manora Nasution and
Siripiya Sutanto in the women's to the Asian Championships in
Pusan, South Korea from March 29 to April 2. It will also send
divers Shenny, Eka Purnama Indah, Muhammad Nasrullah and Sukran
Jamjami. Lenny Puspita and Tyas Titisari will compete in the
synchronized swimming event. (yan)