Indonesia faces world volleyball ban
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)