Boxers, lifters set to go to Vietnam SEA Games
Boxers, lifters set to go to Vietnam SEA Games
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian boxing and weightlifting associations have both
applauded the inclusion of the two sports in the 2003 Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, citing an accommodating approach on
the part of the games organizing committee and the local
authority.
"I was happy to hear that boxing has finally been confirmed
for the games. The Vietnamese government and SEA Games Organizing
Committee (OC) appear to be accommodative to participants'
aspirations," Didiet Sudijoto, deputy secretary-general of the
Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) told The Jakarta
Post here on Wednesday.
While 24 sports were confirmed last week, boxing and
weightlifting were among the seven sports the Vietnamese OC only
added to the list more recently.
The other five were archery, fencing, petanque, rowing and
snooker.
The news was announced by M. Hindarto, from the National
Sports Council (KONI) here on Monday.
Although boxing is to be competed at the sporting event, the
host team will certainly stay away from the contest given the
fact that the sport is deemed dangerous and has been banned in
the country for seven years.
"Although they will not compete, they will allow the sport to
take place at the games. It means they have acted in good faith
over the development of boxing, which has traditionally been
played at the SEA Games," Didiet said.
Gandrung, from the weightlifting body, PABBSI, said the
decision would ensure the continuity of weightlifting development
in Indonesia.
"That's good news. It means the development of our sport will
not be interrupted," he said, when interviewed separately.
The inclusion of weightlifting will provide a boost to
Indonesia's medal hunt because the country is renowned for its
strong lifters.
At the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the squad came out
overall winners with five gold medals.
Didiet saw a likely jolt in development if the fate of boxing
was not revised.
"If we are not allowed to compete at the SEA Games, what's the
point of preparing our boxers. The SEA Games is one of the fields
where we appraise our progress," Didiet said.
The 2003 SEA Games will be the first time that Vietnam has
ever held the biennial sporting spectacle among Southeast Asian
nations.
An executive meeting has been planned for October in Hanoi to
decide the number of events as well as the medals, according to
Hindarto.