Supeni seeks fair decision in weightlifting evaluation

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)