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.