PSSI seeks sponsors for Ligina c'ships<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is
\nhaving difficulty finding sponsors for the upcoming Indonesian
\nLeague (Ligina), which will kick off its sixth season in
\nNovember.<\/p>\n
Outgoing PSSI secretary-general Nugraha Besoes said on
\nSaturday a number of multinational corporations which sponsored
\nthe league in the past withdrew their support due to uncertain
\npolitical circumstances, which could make it difficult to hold
\nsoccer matches.<\/p>\n
Nugraha also said past incidents of violence among soccer fans
\nmade companies hesitant to sponsor Ligina.<\/p>\n
\"No company in the country wants to invest money in Ligina. I
\nhave contacted a number of sports promoters in an effort to find
\nsponsors, but the results have been disappointing. We can't
\nassure people that the matches will proceed without incident.<\/p>\n
\"If there is a mass rally during a match, I am sure that
\nsecurity officials will cancel later matches and revoke our
\npermit to hold matches,\" he said after attending a meeting with
\nofficials from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). ASEAN is the
\nacronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.<\/p>\n
Outbreaks of violence are not uncommon inside and outside
\nstadiums during soccer matches across the country.<\/p>\n
The number of soccer fans who have died in various incidents
\nhas risen over recent years. Ten PSIS Semarang fans were killed
\nin separate train accidents in South and East Jakarta in April
\nthis year. These accidents and a number of other incidents forced
\nPSSI to move the fifth league final between PSIS and Persebaya
\nSurabaya to Manado, North Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
Nugraha also said that due to a lack of financial support,
\nPSSI decided to allow soccer clubs across the nation raise funds
\nindependently.<\/p>\n
Each soccer club requires some Rp 2 billion (US$227,273) to
\npay for transportation and accommodation during the seven-month
\nseason.<\/p>\n
\"Local authorities can help finance and sponsor clubs in their
\nrespective areas. We will continue seeking money to organize the
\nleague, not to finance the participants,\" he said without
\nelaborating on how PSSI would raise the funds required to
\norganize the league.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, AFF announced Thailand would host the
\nthird Tiger Cup in November 2000. Ten ASEAN countries will
\ncompete in the Cup.<\/p>\n
AFF chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen said the finals of the
\ncompetition would take place in Bangkok, with qualifying rounds
\nheld outside the capital city.<\/p>\n
\"There will be no prequalifying rounds for this competition,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was scheduled to host the second Tiger Cup in 1998,
\nbut had to withdraw as host due to security concerns in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia cannot host the 2000 Tiger cup because it is
\nThailand's turn,\" Rithauddeen said.<\/p>\n
The last competition was held in Hanoi. Indonesia is now
\nexpecting to host the regional soccer competition in 2002. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pssi-seeks-sponsors-for-ligina-cships-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}