Indonesia faces world volleyball ban

JAKARTA (JP): The world volleyball body (FIVB) is threatening to ban Indonesia from all international matches for one year for breaking its commitment to host the 1997 Junior World Championships.

FIVB President Ruben Acosta told a press conference here Tuesday that Indonesia would additionally be barred from staging any international volleyball competitions for four years.

The double punishment means that Indonesia may have to strip volleyball of its medal event status at the 19th SEA Games next year. The country may also cancel the Women's World Grand Prix championship scheduled from next Aug. 1 to Aug. 3.

Acosta, however, said that Indonesia has 15 days to reconsider its decision, or else the ban will be put into effect.

The Indonesian Volleyball Association's executive chairperson, Rita Subowo, said that a lack of funds had caused the cancellation.

The event, scheduled for next September, would cost Indonesia US$600,000, with the other $200,000 required being met by the FIVB.

Rita said the association could not afford the cost as it was concentrating on the SEA Games, due to take place here just a few weeks after the junior championships.

"It will be more beneficial if we spent such a large amount of funds on developing young talents throughout the country's 27 provinces," she was quoted by Media Indonesia as saying.

Rita also told Acosta that the Indonesian volleyball body has no choice of venue other than the international-standard Senayan Indoor Stadium for the world championships.

The National Sports Council has declared all sports venues in Senayan to be used during SEA Games be closed to the public one month before the biennial sporting event.

Acosta, who was here for the just-concluded Women's World Beach Volleyball Grand Prix, refuted Rita's excuses, asking why Indonesia did not disclose those difficulties to the FIVB at least three months ago.

"We have already approved the itinerary for 1997. It's impossible to change it," Acosta said. (amd)