Manado people greet both Ligina finalists<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Manadonese provided an evenhanded welcome to
\nPSIS Semarang and Persebaya Surabaya players in the North
\nSulawesi capital on Tuesday, placing banners for both teams along
\nthe route from the airport to their hotel.<\/p>\n
The 110-strong contingent of officials and players, to compete
\nin the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) final at Klabat
\nstadium, arrived at Sam Ratulangi Airport in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
Manado mayor Lucky Korah, also chairman of local organizers,
\nand officials of the provincial chapter of the National Sports
\nCouncil welcomed the two squads, who arrived in an Air Force
\nHercules aircraft.<\/p>\n
They were also greeted by traditional Kabasaran folk dances
\naccompanied by bamboo musical instruments as they entered the
\nairport guest lounge, Antara said.<\/p>\n
PSIS, which upset favorite Persija Jakarta in the semifinals,
\nwill challenge defending champion Persebaya in Friday's final.
\nPersebaya eliminated PSMS Medan in the last four.<\/p>\n
The final, originally scheduled last Sunday at Senayan stadium
\nhere, was moved to the 25,000-seat stadium after Jakarta Police
\nrevoked the permit due to security concerns.<\/p>\n
Hooliganism disrupted several games and nine Semarang soccer
\nfans were fatally crushed by a train on Thursday, only hours
\nbefore the semifinals began. Another man was electrocuted on a
\ntrain roof. A fan injured in the crushing incident died on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
North Sulawesi governor Evert Erens Mangindaan said local
\nresidents would help maintain security and social order during
\nthe last competition.<\/p>\n
"We accepted the offer to stage the final here because we are
\nfully supported by the locals," Mangindaan was quoted by Antara
\nas saying on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Giyono P., a representative of the executive directors of the
\nSenayan stadium, estimated Rp 23 million (US$2,644) in losses due
\nto vandalism during the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Fences and wooden and fiberglass seats were broken and burned
\nby fans from sector nine to 21 of the 24-sector stadium.<\/p>\n
"Based on our agreement, PSSI will be responsible for any
\ndamage caused during the playoffs. We realize they are busy with
\npreparations for the final, but we'll ask them to pay for the
\nloss later on." He did not specify a deadline for payment.<\/p>\n
Hooligans caused Rp 85 million in losses to the Senayan
\nstadium during the 1997 league. PSSI has not paid for the losses.<\/p>\n
PSSI provided a guarantee of Rp 110 million as stadium rental
\nfor the 10 games. It was based on the provision of 10 percent of
\nticket sales or a minimum of Rp 10 million per game. However,
\nPSSI has yet to pay Rp 23 million in profits from the semifinal
\nticket sales.<\/p>\n
Ligina organizing chairman Maj. Gen. Sartomo and PSSI
\nspokesman Tondo Widodo were not available for comment on the
\nlosses. (ivy\/yan)<\/p>",
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