Sucipto reelected as PODSI chief

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Ahmad Sucipto was reelected the chairman of the Indonesian Rowing Association (PODSI) after winning a unanimous vote at the organization's national congress on Friday.

Sucipto, a retired admiral and former Navy chief of staff. will lead the association until 2005.

"All the participants chose Pak Ahmad Sucipto for his success in accomplishing the organization's objectives during his previous term," the chairman of the congress' organizing committee, Abdul Haris Nasution, said, without elaborating.

He said Sucipto had been the sole candidate for the chairmanship.

The congress was held on the sidelines of the National Rowing Championships, which got underway on Lake Toba. No medal was awarded on Friday as the events were still at the qualifying stage.

As expected, the country's rowing powerhouses of Southeast Sulawesi and Central Kalimantan won their heat in the 2,000m four-man and 2,000m eight-man competitions. The finals, followed by the closing ceremony, will be held on Saturday. --JP