Perpani and KONI to disregard archer Rina's suspension

Perpani and KONI to disregard archer Rina's suspension

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani) central board and
the National Sports Council (KONI) will disregard the
association's East Java chapter decision to ban archer Rina Dewi
Puspitasari from national and international events for two years
due to her refusal to compete at the National Games (PON) early
this month.

Perpani chairman Subowo told a press conference on Tuesday
that the suspension was not in line with the association rules
and would damage Rina's future as an archer.

"The suspension was ridiculous and not useful at all. It would
not only damage Rina's career as an archer but it would make
Indonesia suffer as well because Rina is one of Indonesia's
valuable asset in sports," Subowo said.

The 18-year-old Rina is currently one of the best archers in
the country. She won a gold medal in the 22nd Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games in Hanoi and grabbed two golds in the Asian Grand
Prix archery competition in Singapore last year. She competed in
the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens but exited in the first round
after losing to U.S. archer Jennifer Nichols.

At PON, Rina refused to represent East Java in the national
round, arguing that she had never practiced shooting in that
particular event before and did not have the necessary equipment
for the competition. Instead, she only took part in the FITA
(International Archery Federation) round.

Due to her decision, she was suspended for "committing
indisciplinary actions starting from Sept. 21".

"When Rina refused to join the national round, I talked to her
and she said that she made a mistake in refusing to compete
because she took part in PON as a part of the East Java
contingent. Therefore, she had to do what she had been told to
do," Subowo said.

He added that he had also talked to East Java Governor Imam
Utomo as the province's chef-de-mission about Rina and both
agreed that she would get a mild suspension as she had admitted
her mistakes.

However, Subowo was shocked when he found out that the East
Java chapter banned Rina from competing in any international and
national events.

"Besides, the East Java chapter does not have the authority to
decide whether Rina can or cannot take part in international
events. Only Perpani's central board can do that," he said.

"Currently, Rina is in Surabaya, trying to appeal the decision
but so far none of the East Java chapter officials, including the
Governor, would meet her," Subowo added.

KONI's secretary-general Djohar Arifin said that the council
had not received any letter from the East Java chapter regarding
Rina's suspension.

"As long as we haven't received the letter, we assume that
Rina was never suspended," he said.