Soesilo's death causes deep grief for lifters

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)