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Internal divisions rock Indonesian wrestling body following decision not to send team to SEA Games
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Disappointed: Head of the Wrestling Association of Indonesia's (PGSI) Central Java branch Andreas Budi Wirohardjo (center, in white) poses with four junior wrestlers from Central Java before their departure to Thailand to participate at the Junior Wrestling Championship, held from April 2 to 8, 2018. Andreas is among the voices expressing dismay at the PGSI's decision not to deploy a team of wrestlers to the 2019 Philippines SEA Games. (FIles) (The Jakarta Post/Tribun sport)
T
he Wrestling Association of Indonesia’s (PGSI) decision not to send a team to the recently commenced 2019 Philippines SEA Games has sparked uproar among PGSI members. Members have said they could not see the logic behind the decision and accused the PGSI’s head of development and achievement, Gusti Randa, as being responsible.
“The PGSI has obviously abandoned efforts to seek funding for the athletes from the Youth and Sports Ministry. From our perspective, we could win two or three gold medals in the sport,” head of the PGSI’s Central Java branch Andreas Budi Wirohardjo said in a press release on Saturday.
Eddy Santoso of the PGSI’s Bengkulu branch said the decision was unforgivable, as Indonesia had long advocated for wrestling’s inclusion in the SEA Games.
Agus Pebrianto of the South Kalimantan branch said the decision was a result of Gusti’s lack of skill and knowledge of athlete development. As such, he added, a group of 11 PGSI branch heads had demanded PGSI chief Trimedya Panjaitan to replace Gusti with a more capable person.
“Rahman, head of the PGSI’s East Java branch, who is also a former wrestler, in our perspective, possess what it takes to fill that position,” Agus said.
Head of the Jakarta branch Steven Setiabudi Musa acknowledged that replacing someone in such a strategic position would be a very delicate matter. However, he insisted that in this context, it was necessary.
“We appreciate PGSI chief Trimedya Panjaitan’s efforts to improve the sport. However, this time we need him to trust our assessment and make the change,” he said.
