Synchronized swimming may be in Games

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's bid to include synchronized swimming as a medal event in the upcoming 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here next year received a major boost yesterday as the International Swimming Body (FINA) chief Mustapha Larfaoui revealed his approval of the plan.

Larfaoui said after his meeting with chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday that Southeast Asia was a fertile region for the new branch of swimming to grow.

"The region should not waste its great potential in synchronized swimming," Larfaoui said.

Synchronized swimming made its debut as an Olympic medal event in Barcelona in 1992, but has yet to be admitted in a smaller event like the SEA Games.

The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) introduced the new sport as an exhibition event during the just-concluded National Games as a preparation for the SEA Games.

Larfaoui toured Jakarta as a guest of the Indonesian swimming body after observing facilities for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Both Larfaoui and Wismoyo also discussed the development of swimming in the country.

Indonesia has been poised to include synchronized swimming in the SEA Games in an attempt to reduce Thailand's domination in the pool.

PRSI chairman Rahardi Ramelan has guaranteed that inclusion of the sport would give Indonesia a great chance to win three gold medals in solo, duet and team events. Ramelan said Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia were considered tough contenders.

Larfaoui also said that he would help Indonesian swimmers perform commendably during the SEA Games by sending experts for coaching clinics here.

The Algerian-born world swimming chief hailed Indonesia's talents like Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana, Catherine Surya and Elsa Manora Nasution, but suggested that they needed good coaches and more competitions. (yan)