In despair, PABBSI turns back to ABBF<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The troubled Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and
\nBodybuilding Association (PABBSI) has decided to appeal to the
\nAsian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF) to have its membership in
\nthe body reinstated.<\/p>\n
PABBSI secretary-general Alamsyah Widjaja said after a meeting
\nwith officials from the National Sports Council (KONI) here on
\nFriday that the association would try to persuade the ABBF to
\nreinstate PABBSI.<\/p>\n
The move comes just a few days after the association said it
\nwould accept the ABBF's decision and would look for a new
\ninternational affiliation.<\/p>\n
Affiliation with a world body is imperative for a sport
\norganization to ensure its membership with KONI.<\/p>\n
With PABBSI currently having no international affiliation,
\nKONI has threatened to take over the arrangements of the
\nbodybuilding competition at next month's National Games (PON) in
\nPalembang, South Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The International Bodybuilding Federation (IBBF) has also
\nthreatened that if the bodybuilding competition at PON is managed
\nby the PABBSI, any bodybuilders taking part in the event could
\nreceive a two-year ban from international tournaments.<\/p>\n
PABBSI lost its international affiliation last year after it
\nwas found to have backed Musclemania, an international
\nbodybuilding event that the two international bodies did not
\nendorse.<\/p>\n
Alamsyah said a letter had been sent to the ABBF requesting
\nthat PABBSI's membership to the organization be reinstated.<\/p>\n
\"We have sent a letter asking for an explanation as to why we
\nwere kicked out from the federation but we have not received any
\nreply,\" he added.<\/p>\n
However, it is unlikely the ABBF and the IBBF will repeal
\ntheir decision given that they have already recognized the newly
\nestablished Indonesian Bodybuilding Federation (FBI).<\/p>\n
The two international organizations endorsed the Southeast
\nAsian Bodybuilding Championship the FBI hosted in Bali last June.<\/p>\n
But PABBSI appears adamant, with Alamsyah saying: \"KONI has
\ngiven us until November to contact the ABBF regarding the status
\nof our membership.\"<\/p>\n
KONI is taking a somewhat diplomatic stance on the issue.<\/p>\n
\"We have asked PABBSI what rules they want to use if they want
\nto hold a bodybuilding competition at PON, but PABBSI's officials
\nare unable to answer yet,\" KONI's head of organizational affairs,
\nHendardji, said.<\/p>\n
Hendardji added that KONI would wait until next week for a
\nreply from PABBSI.<\/p>\n
KONI will also wait for one week to decide whether the
\nIndonesian Hockey Association (PHSI) will be allowed to organize
\na hockey competition at PON.<\/p>\n
PHSI's involvement in the event is in question because it has
\nonly six provincial chapters, four short of the minimum
\nrequirement.<\/p>\n
The PHSI has chapters in West Java, East Java, North Sumatra,
\nWest Sumatra, Lampung and Papua.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/in-despair-pabbsi-turns-back-to-abbf-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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