Swimmers may only win 2 golds at SEAG

Swimmers may only win 2 golds at SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) has
given only a "yellow-light" to the National Sports Council (KONI)
as it may have trouble in repeating its five gold medal
achievement at the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
September.

"Currently, we can only rely on veteran swimmer Richard Sam
Bera to get two gold medals at the biennial event. It's quite
difficult for us to fulfill KONI's requirement," PRSI vice
secretary-general Dadeng Kurnia told reporters on Wednesday at
the sidelines of a get-together event between KONI officials and
athletes at the Multi Purpose Hall of the Bung Karno Sports
Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

KONI requested four golds from the pool. In the 1999 Brunei
Darussalam Games, Indonesia managed to bring home five golds from
swimming and one from diving.

In contrast to Richard, three of Indonesia's quartet -- Wisnu
Wardhana, twins Albert and Felix Sutanto -- have yet to show they
are ready or have made progress for the event.

In the Kuala Lumpur Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games, swimming will
have 43 golds at stake, the second largest number after track and
field events with 46.

PRSI secretary-general Abdurrahim confirmed earlier that
Indonesia might get only two gold medals from Richard, possibly
in his favorite disciplines of 50 and 100 meters freestyle.

"We can't rely on Albert and Felix because they failed to show
stable performance. While our second layer swimmers' skills are
still far below their seniors'. Although they may not get any
medals, we recommend KONI to field them as a preparation for the
Vietnam 2003 SEA Games."

Abdurrahim also said PRSI would stage a national swimming and
diving championship from May 10 to May 16 at the Bung Karno
Swimming Pool as an opportunity for swimmers to be groomed for
the Games.

Despite Indonesia's mounting ambition to regain the overall
champion title, KONI chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said that the
country would not be deterred by host Malaysia's target of taking
121 golds.

"We must admit that we lack both funds and equipment during
preparation for the Games but we still have our spirit. Therefore
the athletes must work harder," he said.

"We should use it (Malaysia's target) to motivate ourselves to
achieve more. We should not be terrified by such a statement."

Meanwhile, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo said it was
Malaysia's right to set such target but it would not bother
Indonesia.

"We also have our own reasons for setting a goal of taking
home 110 golds or possibly more."

Regarding the government's commitment to finance the Rp 65
billion (US$6.5 million) preparation for the SEA Games, KONI's
official in charge of planning and budgeting, Togi Mangara
Hutagaol said KONI was disappointed because the government would
only provide Rp 5.5 billion for the preparations. (nvn)