Boxing body to call Pino in policy U-turn

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Boxing Association is to ask Pino Bahari to attend the 19th SEA Games training program despite his refusal to attend the training camp last week.

Poul Toding, the association's chairman, said yesterday that Pino, who wants to turn pro, is expected to join the national squad for the biennial event, thanks to promoter Turino Tidar.

Turino is to contract the 1990 Asian Games gold medalist for Rp 100 million (US$41,700) for five matches under one condition; Pino has to join the national squad for the Games.

"I think Turino's condition to ask Pino to join the Indonesian boxing squad before turning pro is a good example to follow," Poul said.

Turino is to give a Rp 10 million down payment to Pino, the 1995 SEA Games silver medalist, at a ceremony scheduled to be witnessed by the National Sports Council chairman.

The reason behind the recall is that Pino is still the best in his 75kg class.

"None of his juniors are ready to replace him in such a big event," Poul said.

Pino submitted a letter to the association last week stating his intention to retire because he wants to concentrate on his future. He did not mention his plans for the future in the letter.

The association's secretary-general Didiet Soedijoto had said that the council would not call Pino back because it "wants to treat boxers equally so they can have the same chance of winning international tournaments."

Pino's father and coach, Daniel Bahari, wants the council and not the organization to supervise Pino, Poul said.

However Turino said, quoting Daniel, that Pino has been missing from home for two days.

"His father is still looking for him," he said.

Fired

Meanwhile coach Boy Kelung, one of nine boxing trainers, was fired from his job as a member of staff at the Indonesian Secretary and Management College boxing gym. The dismissal letter was signed by the vice chairman of the owner foundation on Dec. 17, 1996.

"I received the letter from the foundation a few days ago. I have no idea what to do," he said.

Boy said that since he became one of the national coaches he had never received letters of approval from the college to coach the boxing team.

"Since October I have had to divide my time between the boxing camp in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, and the campus in East Jakarta. But recently, I have often arrived late at the campus and I've been warned by the human resources department," said Boy, who had worked at the academy for six years.

Another coach Ferry Moniaga, who also works at the campus, has not received his salary because he is on leave during the program.

Didiet said that the association is to send a letter to the council asking for help to solve the problem. (yan)