Wed, 09 Aug 2000

Supeni seeks fair decision in weightlifting evaluation

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian weightlifter Supeni expects a fair judgment in the final evaluation of Olympic Games qualifiers on Aug. 9 in Pringsewu, Lampung, and Aug. 14 at the Ragunan sports school in South Jakarta.

Supeni said on Tuesday she would accept the results of the evaluation, whatever they were, as long as the process was fair.

"As an athlete I only want to focus my attention on preparing for the Olympics in Sydney in September. After the evaluation, the judges will see which of us is able to represent the country at the event," she said following a light training session.

"I will show them that I will go to Sydney and fight as best I can, not just go there for a picnic. I will contribute everything for my country," said the mother of a 3-year-old daughter.

The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) had planned to hold the evaluation before the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June.

However, the evaluation was delayed and on Monday the association's new officials, named during its national congress during PON, sparked controversy by issuing a letter expelling Supeni from the Olympic training program.

PABBSI chairman Dharma Surya declined to discuss the dispute, only saying the decision was in the hands of the National Sports Council (KONI).

Olympic weightlifting team manager Djoko Pramono protested the decision, claiming he had not been notified about the letter.

The dispute was resolved on Monday evening when KONI vice chairman and Olympic executive training director Arie Wibowo said the council had canceled the letter and would only use it as a reference point when naming the three lifters who will join the Olympic team.

Indonesia can send three female weightlifters to the Olympics, while it has been training four athletes: Sri Indriyani and Lisa Rumbewas in the 48-kilogram division, and Winarni and Supeni in the 53-kilogram division.

Both Sri and Winarni finished second in the World Championships, which also served as an Olympic qualification, in Athens in September. Supeni finished fourth while Lisa was eighth.

Supeni said she was disappointed at learning that she had been expelled from the training program, but praised her coach, Sori Enda Nasution, for helping her maintain her motivation.

"Pak Ucok (Sori's nickname) told me that it's not a final decision and he encouraged me to be prepared for the Aug. 14 evaluation. I'm very proud to have a coach like him," said Supeni, who has lived with Sori and his family since 1994.

KONI will send a team comprising deputy Olympic training director Imron ZS, deputy of training programs Jotje Gosal, deputy of education Paulus Pasurney, Djoko Pramono, the deputy of PABBSI's weightlifting technical commission, Hadi Wiharja, and psychologist Rosa Hertamina to supervise Wednesday's evaluation.

Ucok himself said the controversy had disturbed the athletes' preparations for the Olympics.

"I really regret the dispute because it was only for someone's benefit instead of in the interests of 200 million Indonesians. The training program which started on Jan. 1, 1999, was almost destroyed in only days by some people," he said.

Ucok said of the four lifters vying to join the Olympic team, Lisa was the most inexperienced.

"Lisa's only international experience was the World Championships, and that's not enough to compete in such a major event like the Olympics.

"Athletes not only need technical skills at a big event, but they rely more on being tough mentally and having the proper motivation. Lisa still needs to learn." (yan)