OPBF accepts BPPOPI's request for membership<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Pacific and Orient Boxing Federation (OPBF) has accepted the
\ngovernment-sponsored Professional Sports Supervising and
\nControlling Body (BPPOPI) as the country's sole representative to
\nthe regional boxing organization.<\/p>\n
OPBF President Frank Quill said in a statement, a copy of
\nwhich was made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, that
\nBPPOPI would replace the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI),
\nwhich has been the OPBF member for 30 years.<\/p>\n
The federation applies a one-country one-representative
\nruling.<\/p>\n
\"The OPBF accepted the authority of BPPOPI...and is awaiting a
\nsimple letter of application to formalize BPPOPI as Indonesia's
\nOPBF member,\" Quill said.<\/p>\n
He added that KTI would remain as OPBF member pending its
\nformal acceptance of BPPOPI.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is moving to establish BPPOPI as a replacement for
\nBAPOPI which was under the authority of the dismantled State
\nMinister of Sports and Youth Affairs Office. The government has
\nsaid the professional sports controlling body will begin working
\nearly next year.<\/p>\n
Quill said before the Indonesian government's bid, the
\nsplinter group of KTI, the Indonesian Boxing Association (ATI),
\nhad requested for recognition as the OPBF member other than KTI.<\/p>\n
The government made its formal bid for OPBF membership during
\nthe federation's annual congress in Pattaya, Thailand early this
\nmonth. The Indonesian delegates then sought discussion on
\naccepting BPPOPI into OPBF membership.<\/p>\n
The move followed a series of ring deaths -- five in 18 months
\n-- blamed on lack of safety concerns among fight organizers.
\nDuring the congress, the World Boxing Council, the principal
\norganization of OPBF, slapped a six-month international
\nsuspension on Indonesian boxers.<\/p>\n
Quill said the Indonesian government had indicated its
\npreparedness to act as the OPBF member during a telephone
\nconversation with then-BAPOPI official, Iskandar Zulkarnaen, last
\nJune.<\/p>\n
The OPBF Australian president denied reports that the
\nprovisional suspension would cost Indonesian boxers their WBC or
\nOPBF rankings.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesians will continue to be rated, by merit, in the WBC
\nand OPBF,\" Quill said.<\/p>\n
He also brushed aside rumors that he masterminded the WBC's
\ndecision to punish Indonesia following the ring casualties and
\ninsisted that the federation maintain its commitment to assisting
\nIndonesian boxing organizations.<\/p>\n
KTI Chairman Anthon Sihombing had complained about OPBF's
\nfailure to help professional boxing in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Quill said OPBF \"worked closely\" with KTI and Anthon in
\nsupporting a medical seminar in Jakarta in May and a short course
\nfor registered and would-be trainers in August, also in Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/opbf-accepts-bppopis-request-for-membership-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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