Boxing body wants Prabowo as new chief

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association hopes the Army's Special Forces commandant-general, Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, will become its next chairman.

The association's chairman, Poul Toding, said Friday evening during a breaking of the fast gathering at the National Sports Council that Prabowo would be the right person to chair the association.

"Pak Prabowo has the skills, the charism and he will have no problem raising funds for the association," he said. "If Pak Prabowo wants to chair the association on behalf of the boxing society I would be very grateful."

The association stages its national congress in March but has yet to persuade Prabowo to take the top position.

"In February, association officials will meet high-ranking officers, including the Army's Chief of Staff Pak Wiranto, to ask for recommendation," Poul said.

Coaches

Speaking about its preparations for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December, Poul said the association would meet to discuss the congress, the Asiad training and the selection of athletes and coaches," he said.

The association will decide if it wants to contract Cuban coaches Isidiro Trotman and Julio Lee Hechevera for the Asiad.

"If the association's main sponsor, PT Gadjah Tunggal, gives more financial assistance than last year's Rp 1.3 billion (US$160,500), we will want one of the Cubans to be the head coach," he said.

The association will likely choose Julio Lee, who is younger and closer to the boxers and considered to be more experienced than Trotman if funds do not permit contracting both Cubans.

"But if PT Gadjah Tunggal cannot finance the association, we'll use domestic coaches whose capabilities are far below the Cuban coaches," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's Orient Pacific Boxing Federation miniflyweight champion Nico Thomas is expected to retain his title against Japan's Uruf Tukimatsu on Feb. 22 in Japan.

Willy Lasut, the ranking coordinator of the Indonesian Boxing Commission, said Friday that Nico had received his second down payment of US$1,500.

Nico had taken his first payment of $1,000 and Rp 500,000 in December 1997.

"Nico came to me and took the down payment as stated in the contract which was signed by himself and the Japanese promoter Sukhi Murayama on Dec. 12," Willy said.

Willy said Nico, former International Boxing Federation flyweight champion, has decided to compete in Japan instead of Jakarta as offered by promoter Tourino Tidar.

"Nico has decided and right now he doesn't have any club nor contract with any promoters. Tourino submitted his option to the commission," he said.

Early this month, Willy and Tourino dispute over who would stage the event had to be settled by the commission.

Antara reported Tourino accused Willy of stealing his boxer.

Willy said Nico was bored with fighting under Tourino because he had not fought for a year to retain his title. (yan)