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.