Boxing nationals seek contenders

Boxing nationals seek contenders

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The weeklong national boxing championships are expected to
find athletes who will be able to hold their own in the region
after the country's disappointing performance in the Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines earlier this month.

About 180 boxers are competing in the nationals in Pelabuhan
Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java. They opened on Sunday and end on
Saturday.

Among the participants are boxers from the host province,
Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, Bali, Aceh, North
Sumatra, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Riau, West Sumatra, Lampung,
Riau Islands, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, North
Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa
Tenggara and Papua.

"They will fight in divisions ranging from 48 kilograms to 91
kilograms," National Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) deputy
secretary-general Soewardi said on Monday.

He praised West Java as a suitable host for the event,
although there was the last-minute withdrawal of several boxers
from the province due to a dispute within the local Pertina
branch.

The boxers reportedly balked at competing in the event due to
the lack of an allowance for the nationals.

"That is Pertina West Java's problem. We are sorry to hear
about it, but, overall, the championship has been prepared well,
Soewardi said.

Indonesia boxers contributed only one medal -- a silver from
Miftah Rivai Lubis in the 60 kg division -- at this year's SEA
Games which ended on Dec. 5.

SEA Games national boxing manager Jetty R. Pattiasina
acknowledged at the time that Pertina needed to conduct a
thorough evaluation of the boxers' performance and effect change,
including selecting new coaches, finding more talented boxers and
implementing a long-term plan.

"It's only in this way that we will be able to compete once
again in Southeast Asia," Jetty said.