Clubs hesitant to join League games

Clubs hesitant to join League games

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Clubs were hesitant in joining the touted Indonesian Basketball
League (LBI) because of a lack of vision, Indonesia's basketball
governing body Perbasi says.

LBI is the new basketball tournament with a new format to
replace the 'Kobatama', which used to feature 10 clubs playing in
four series.

Although the format for the LBI has yet to be talked over,
it's likely the tournament will adopt the home-and-away system.

However, the proposal faces a far from certain future as only
Jakarta-based Satria Muda and Medan-based Angsapura have
reportedly registered.

"There are still disparities in vision among the clubs. I hope
they can decide on their own what form of competition they like
to have," Perbasi's deputy chairman Erick Tohir said after the
inauguration of the new organization's executive board here on
Friday.

Erick said some clubs were unsure of the Rp 500 million
(US$55,555) deposit they were expected to pay to tournament
organizers.

"Such cash should be paid by each franchise, like the system
practiced in foreign countries," Erick said.

A meeting between organizers and clubs would be held next
Wednesday to talk the issue through, he said.

"Some clubs can't see the commercial opportunities of being
involved in the competition," Erick said, adding that if agreed
on, games would commence in March.

Meanwhile, Perbasi chairman Sutiyoso, who is also the Jakarta
Governor, said Perbasi would be seeking to break into the top
eight Asian teams this year after being absent from any Asian
tournament for more than a decade.