Siti Hardiyanti inducted as new volleyball leader
Siti Hardiyanti inducted as new volleyball leader
JAKARTA (JP): Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana was sworn in yesterday as the new chairperson of the Indonesian Volleyball Association, with a pledge to restore the country's pride in the sport.
The induction ended three weeks of uncertainty about her acceptance of the post. The association last month agreed to name Siti Hardiyanti the single elector and the chairperson in a congress. The president's daughter, who was abroad at the time, did not even give an official nod.
Yesterday's inauguration was such a dramatic answer to speculation that almost all top sports officials flocked to the National Sports Council office to attend the special ceremony.
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman, Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto in his capacity as chairman of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, were among the guests.
Dibyo was appointed vice chairman of the volleyball body which now has a total of 22 portfolio posts. Former chairman Kunarto will lead the board of patrons, who also include Siti Hardiyanti's husband Indra Rukmana.
A throng of journalists, who had been frustrated in their quest for a scoop about the association's new cabinet, grilled Siti Hardiyanti as soon as she was swore in by chairman of the council Wismoyo Arismunandar.
Wearing her trade-mark headscarf, the new chairman ushered the enthusiastic journalists into the press conference room.
"Thank you so much for trusting me to carry out this tough job. Despite my whopping business activities, I promise to do my best," Siti Hardiyanti, who is President Soeharto's eldest daughter, said.
"I don't want to disappoint those who showed me their tremendous support during the congress. They could have given me some slaps if I had said no, you know," she said of her approval of the new job.
Restoration
Siti Hardiyanti said that during her four-year tenure the association would concentrate on revamping Indonesia's performance in international level.
"We have set our sights not only on regaining our supremacy in the Southeast Asian Games, but also on winning every tournament we compete in," she said.
Indonesia ended its SEA Games unbeaten run in Chiang Mai, Thailand last December. The national men's spikers had to be content with a bronze, while their women's teammates left the Games empty handed.
The new chairperson said that she planned to revive regular competitions among school children as well as other junior age levels. "We need to intensify the campaign to make volleyball a sport for all," she said.
Siti Hardiyanti also pledged to run the organization on the principle of professionalism. "I cannot handle all the work myself. I shall pick people who know what they are doing to help me," she said.
Her day-to-day duties will be carried out by executive chairman Rita Subowo.
Minister Hayono lauded the new line-up of the volleyball body, saying that the Siti Hardiyanti-led staff have a good chance to take Indonesia's achievement to a new high.
"Other sports organizations should follow in the footsteps of the volleyball association in choosing the right leader," Hayono said. (05/amd)