Soesilo's death causes deep grief for lifters

JAKARTA (JP): Many Sportsmen and women felt extreme sorrow on hearing the news of Soesilo Soedarman's death. He was the chairman of the Indonesian Weight lifting, Power lifting and Body building Association.

Soesilo, who was also the coordinating minister for political affairs and security, died Thursday having suffered lung disease complications for the past three weeks. He was buried at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta yesterday.

National Sports Council officials attended yesterday's burial, which was held after Friday prayers.

The association's secretary-general, Djoko Pramono, said the organization had lost its most beloved person.

"The association has lost a father who always motivated us and served us. He was very close to the lifters. His death really shocked us because he died while our athletes were enjoying success in several international events," Djoko, the former training director of the country's SEA Games contingent, was quoted by Kompas as saying.

The association's spokesman, Budi Santoso, said: "Many weight lifters and power lifters have got jobs thanks to Pak Soes (Soesilo's nickname). Most of them worked in the tourism, post and telecommunication ministry."

Soesilo was the minister of tourism, post and telecommunication before he became the coordinating minister for political affairs and security.

With his help, the athletes did not have to worry about their futures and could concentrate on their training.

Soesilo had chaired the association since 1992. He was in his second period in charge; the term was due to end in 2000. He was the council's vice chairman from 1989 to 1995 and chaired the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting association before that.

Soesilo brought much glory to Indonesian lifting.

Most recently female lifters Winarni and Patmawati brought home golds from the 1997 World Weight lifting Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, earlier this month.

"Unfortunately, Pak Soes could not meet them because he was hospitalized," Budi said.

The association's Lampung provincial branch chairman, Imron Rosadi, said that Soesilo had supported the development of talented athletes in his branch.

"We'll all miss him. His support and attention to weight lifting and power lifting development was so great and inspired the athletes to create international records," Imron, who also chairs the Pringsewu training center, told Antara.

Soesilo also helped establish a long-term training program at the Pringsewu training center, Lampung, and the Gadog training center, near Bogor, for lifters preparing for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

His position will be temporarily filled by the association's executive chairman, Budiono Kartohadiprojo. (yan)