Deserter Stevie abandons Asiad boxing dream
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Stevie Binalay admitted feeling guilty about deserting the national boxing training camp and said he had decided to abandon his Asian Games dream.
"I have quit the training (camp for the Asian Games). It looks certain they will never accept me again," Stevie said wistfully on Friday.
The 21-year-old from Jakarta was recently under the spotlight of the sports media when he disappeared from Jakarta shortly after his disappointing performance at the Kings Cup in Bangkok.
He was later reported to be in Padang, West Sumatra, sitting for an entry test at the local school for police non-commissioned officers.
He said that his ambition was to work for the police. He tried his luck last year but failed the medical test.
"This is not my own wish, but the wish of my parents'," he said.
While admitting his guilt, he rejected the accusation he was snubbing the training chiefs.
"I was running against time at the time," he said. "I tried to contact Pak Didiet (Sudijoto) four times but I couldn't get through," he added, referring to the boxing project manager, who is also deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina).
The National Sports Council (KONI) threatened to punish him as he had violated the disciplinary code, which could mean expulsion from the team, as signaled the day before by Asian Games training director Imron ZS.
"We will not take any action until we have talked with the boxing training chief. But if what the media says is true, that he has left without permission, he could be expelled," Imron said.
Stevie said he was determined not to go along with the sporting contingent because he thought he would not be able to improve his skills before the Asian Games.
"I don't think I can get any better. I will not able to do well at the Asiad," Stevie told The Jakarta Post by mobile phone from Padang, about 700 kilometers to the northwest of Jakarta.
He recalled the Kings Cup where he crashed out at the opening stage. He, though, should not have felt the only misfit as the other two -- Willem Papilaya and Bonix Saweho -- experienced the same fate. Only Bara Gomies fared better, winning a bronze.
The three are currently contending at the National Golden Glove championships in Manado, North Sulawesi.
Stevie should also have joined that event as part of the preparation program ahead of the Asian Games, which is scheduled in Busan, South Korea, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.
However, there seems to be another reason behind his decision to leave his teammates. He admitted that he was on bad terms with coach Carlos Jesus Penate Torres, citing partial treatment from the Cuban.
While he has already sealed his fate for the Asian Games, Stevie was still hopeful there would still be room for forgiveness when the country starts to prepare for the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam.
"How can one not be proud of being part of a team representing the country at an international event?" he said.