Indonesia faces world volleyball ban<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The world volleyball body (FIVB) is threatening
\nto ban Indonesia from all international matches for one year for
\nbreaking its commitment to host the 1997 Junior World
\nChampionships.<\/p>\n
FIVB President Ruben Acosta told a press conference here
\nTuesday that Indonesia would additionally be barred from staging
\nany international volleyball competitions for four years.<\/p>\n
The double punishment means that Indonesia may have to strip
\nvolleyball of its medal event status at the 19th SEA Games next
\nyear. The country may also cancel the Women's World Grand Prix
\nchampionship scheduled from next Aug. 1 to Aug. 3.<\/p>\n
Acosta, however, said that Indonesia has 15 days to reconsider
\nits decision, or else the ban will be put into effect.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Volleyball Association's executive chairperson,
\nRita Subowo, said that a lack of funds had caused the
\ncancellation.<\/p>\n
The event, scheduled for next September, would cost Indonesia
\nUS$600,000, with the other $200,000 required being met by the
\nFIVB.<\/p>\n
Rita said the association could not afford the cost as it was
\nconcentrating on the SEA Games, due to take place here just a few
\nweeks after the junior championships.<\/p>\n
\"It will be more beneficial if we spent such a large amount of
\nfunds on developing young talents throughout the country's 27
\nprovinces,\" she was quoted by Media Indonesia as saying.<\/p>\n
Rita also told Acosta that the Indonesian volleyball body has
\nno choice of venue other than the international-standard Senayan
\nIndoor Stadium for the world championships.<\/p>\n
The National Sports Council has declared all sports venues in
\nSenayan to be used during SEA Games be closed to the public one
\nmonth before the biennial sporting event.<\/p>\n
Acosta, who was here for the just-concluded Women's World
\nBeach Volleyball Grand Prix, refuted Rita's excuses, asking why
\nIndonesia did not disclose those difficulties to the FIVB at
\nleast three months ago.<\/p>\n
\"We have already approved the itinerary for 1997. It's
\nimpossible to change it,\" Acosta said. (amd)<\/p>",
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