The Story Of Harland, A Swimming Athlete Who Won The POPMAL IV Gold Medal, Offers To Become An Indonesian Navy Soldier

Commander of Lantamal IX Ambon Brigadier General Said Latuconsina (left third) Southeast Maluku Regent M. Thaher Hanubun had a dialogue with swimmer from Southeast Maluku Herland Rumagun. (Photo via Antara/Dispen Lantamal IX Ambon)

AMBON - There was an interesting sight during the swimming match at the Maluku Province Sports Week (POPMAL) IV, Saturday, November 19. The men's 100-meter freestyle gold medalist, Harland Rumangung, received an offer from the Commander of the Indonesian Navy Main Base (Danlantamal) IX Ambon Brigadier General Said Latuconsina.

Said seemed interested in Harland's performance and other swimming athletes. After Harland won gold, Danlantamal immediately called the swimmer from Southeast Maluku to have a dialogue.

Seeing that the posture of a grade 1 high school student from Ohoi (village) Ibra, Kei Kecil District, Southeast Maluku was relatively tall and well-established, Said immediately offered Harland to become a member of the Indonesian Navy after completing his high school education.

"If you become a Navy soldier, swimming exercises are under the supervision and guidance of the coach and can be carried out continuously. Next, you can become a reliable and qualified athlete to represent Maluku in various swimming events in the future," said Said.

Said guarantees that outstanding athletes in various sports will get attention and priority if they register themselves as Indonesian Navy soldiers.

He also appreciated the development of swimming in Maluku as well as being willing to provide a Tirto Sagoro 1 swimming pool at the Mako Lantamal Ambon complex as a training location for athletes under the tutelage of the Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) on a regular basis.

The POPMAL IV swimming sport competed in two types of competitions, namely pool swimming which overhauled four numbers, namely the men's 50-meter freestyle and the men's 100m freestyle, as well as two Open Water Swimming (OWS) numbers which were competed in Ambon Bay, Sunday, November 20.

In four pool numbers, the Southeast Maluku Regency contingent showed toughness by sweeping four contested gold medals.

The Southeast Maluku gold medal was donated by Agata Elmas from the women's 50-meter freestyle, perhaps Alatubir in the women's 100m freestyle, while Southeast Maluku male swimmer Herland Rumagun won gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle men's.

In addition to four golds, the Southeast Maluku contingent also collected two silver and one bronze medals, while the host Ambon City had to settle for two silver and three bronze medals.