The Aquatics Academy of Sekayu (AAS) has already made several achievements in the two years since its establishment on April 3, 2006, by Swimming Federation of Indonesia (PRSI) chairman Purnomo Yusgiantoro: Three of its water polo players have been recruited to the SEA Games national training center and four of its swimmers are on the South Sumatra team competing in June's National Sports Festival (PON) XVII.

Another achievement is the AAS water polo team, which represents South Sumatra and ranks third after North Sumatra and Jakarta, both of which have national training center players and foreign athletes.

According to regent Alex Noerdin of Musi Banyuasin (Muba), South Sumatra, the founding of the AAS was prompted by the region's efforts in organizing the water polo, springboard and platform diving and swimming competitions for the PON XVI in 2004.

"Our facilities of international standards also speeded the birth of the AAS. Moreover, only a few regions have reliable water polo athletes and we wished to contribute to the national team," he said in Sekayu recently.

The AAS athletes' success is a result of an integrated program that combines constant development, intensive training, uninterrupted schooling, well-directed programs and solid coaching.

The academy's water polo division contracted Russian coach Roman Ishankov and his compatriot and assistant coach, Yevgenev Alexandrov, through the local administration. Ishankov had worked previously for the North Sumatra team and at the national training center in Jakarta.

The swimming division is headed by Chinese coach Na Win and Yohanes Indradjaya, who trained in Leipzig, Germany, while its diving division is run by former South Sumatra swimmer and diver Catherine Kalalo.

The AAS also maintains cooperation with the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia, especially in athlete exchange and competition trials.

The young athletes at the AAS are nurtured with no external burdens. Muba regency provides their selection, accommodation and formal schooling, so that they can focus on their performance and athletic targets.

"They can't be burdened with daily issues, just disciplined training with a high competitive spirit aimed at making great accomplishments," stressed Muba regent Alex.

At present, the AAS has 42 student athletes who come from Muba and other regencies. They follow a strict training schedule of two daily sessions, from 5-7 a.m. before school and from 4-6 p.m. after school.

"I'm optimistic that the AAS training programs will bear great fruit within five years. We have already seen signs that we are headed in this direction," said Yohanes.

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