Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Swimming Association (PB PRSI) Harlin Rahardjo emphasized that scholarships from the International Swimming Federation (FINA) or World Aquatics in 2019 for Azzahra Permatahani were right on target and goal.
Harlin responded to a question from Azzahra's parents, Hanif Rusjdi, who said that PB PRSI was not transparent regarding the use of FINA Scholarship Programme scholarship funds for Azzahra about three years ago.
"Azzahra in 2019 received full benefits from FINA scholarships, one of which was by participating in all matches prepared for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (2021)," said Harlin as quoted by Antara, Saturday, January 14.
Harlin revealed that the scholarship from FINA was a program in scoring oil palm oil to bring the nation's good name at the Olympics.
With this scholarship, said Harlin, Azzahra could be an opportunity after appearing at the Tokyo 2020 (2021) Olympics by passing the limit B number 400m women's individual medley in 2019.
Azzahra's best achievements and timing in her specialty number were all scored in 2019.
The athlete who was born on January 7, 2022 is currently listed as a national record holder (rekornas) for three swimming numbers created in 2019.
Each in the 200m breaststroke number with a time of 2 minutes 32.22 seconds and 200m individual medley with 2 minutes 16.43 seconds when appearing at the Jakarta Open 2019, as well as the number 400m individual medley while competing in the Singapore Age Group Championship 2019 with a time of 4 minutes 48.51 seconds.
In addition, Harlin continued, aid funds from FINA were also used to support all other programs, including participating in a number of major championships, one of which was the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
"The funds were also used for the purposes of accommodating David Armandoni, who at that time was the coach of the national team and accompanied Azzahra anywhere," said Harlin.
Azzahra received a FINA scholarship on the recommendation of PB PRSI in 2018 because it is considered to have the potential to be able to compete at the world level.
FINA's scholarship program provides a limited opportunity for a number of athletes to train and prepare for their qualification for the FINA Olympics and World Championships.
"PRSI, in this case, is an administrative scholarship and is responsible for choosing national training," said the FINA Scholarship Program letter for Azzahra, which was signed by Cornel Marculescu as the FINA Executive Director, which was copied by ANTARA.
PRSI must also ensure athletes have access to appropriate training facilities, expert trainers (specially), training programs (land swimming and training), regular medical and scientific assistance and control, and access to technical information about the FINA World Championships.
"Everything is appropriate and the program has succeeded in making Azzahra the oil and 2019 the highest achievement," said Harlin.
"Azzahra is participating in the highest championships in the world and only certain people can participate completely. Of course, everything is from the cost of the national training and also PRSI which manages the scholarship funds. So I hope this can explain and also the perception that PB PRSI is not transparent in misappropriating aid funds is a heinous accusation," said Harlin.
To note, currently Azzahra is no longer a member of the national training camp (pelatnas) for the XXXII/2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia after being considered an indisplinary.
Even so, Azzahra's chances return to the open national training. "PRSI still wants to embrace Azzahra, who is 21 years old for the 2023 SEA Games team if it meets the requirements for achievements set by the swimming team," concluded Harlin.
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