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)