Boxing body wants Prabowo as new chief

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)