Kids learn boxing to stop brawling

By Joko E.H. Anwar

JAKARTA (JP): A 16-year-old girl climbs into a boxing ring and says a prayer in a tender voice, silencing the shouts of about 200 school kids waiting for the action to begin.

"O Lord, If I win, guide me to uphold my faith and my honor. And if I lose, move me to stand on the side and applaud when the winner passes me by," the girl concludes her prayer.

"Only cowards fight in street brawls!" the match announcer says and leaves the ring. "Let the fight begin!"

Two young boxers leave their corners and begin to launch convincing jabs, hooks, and uppercuts.

One of them is a first-year student at vocational high school SMK PGRI 21 in Rawamangun, East Jakarta; the other a second-year student at vocational high school SMK Grafica Lektur in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

Supporters from both schools begin to yell at the top of their lungs, turning the studio at the Indosiar television station complex on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta into any other boxing arena.

"That kid is good," noted boxing commentator Syamsul Anwar, referring to 16-year-old Suyoto Wiyono of SMK PGRI 21, at the bout on Friday.

"This is his first fight, yet he is managing to control his emotion and is punching at the right times," Syamsul added.

Syamsul is the project officer of the TV program, which was first broadcasted in July.

The program, Syamsul said, is designed to nurture potential student boxers.

"So far 80 students have fought in the ring and about 40 percent of them have a great potential to become boxers," Syamsul, himself a former boxer, said. "It is such a waste if we don't use the talent."

Head of public relations at Indosiar Gufroni Sakaril said the program, which is broadcast live on Fridays at 2 p.m., was an attempt to curb student brawls.

"We found that it was a good idea to channel school kid's desires to fight into this sport, which demands sportsmanship and discipline," Gufroni told the Post.

High school students in the capital, especially those from vocational high schools, frequently engage in vicious street brawls, which have led to dozens of deaths over the last two years alone.

Dudi Effendi, a teacher at SMK Grafica Lektur who watched the bout, said he was hopeful that the program could reduce the frequency of student brawls.

"God willing, this kind of program will curb street brawls," Dudi said.

Syamsul said there were currently 15 schools taking part in the program, which was initiated by Governor Sutiyoso on March 17.

"The regional office of the Ministry of National Education chose three schools from each mayoralty in the capital to take part in the pilot project," Syamsul said

Many other schools asked to be included in the program, he added.

The students are given free lessons by coaches from the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina).

"There are eight coaches currently overseeing the 15 schools," Syamsul said.

As Syamsul talked, the two boxers continued to fight spiritedly. As the bout entered its final round, blood began to gush from the nose of one of them after a hard jab landed on his face. The spectators cheered.

"Finish him off! Finish him off!" they roared.

Suddenly, a bottle of mineral water was flung from the crowd. Two city police officers were on guard to anticipate a possible brawl in the studio. Studio security men were also ready, holding a tear gas launcher.

The match continued uninterrupted until the final bell. The announcer read the jury's decision. Everyone received the decision well. Suyoto, who early Syamsul had tipped as a promising fighter, won.

"I want to continue as an amateur boxer, and when I'm really good, I'll turn pro," Suyoto, who is known among his peers as Otoy, told the Post.

Suyoto said 17-times national boxing champion Chris John was his idol.

"I admire his agility," Suyoto said of the Semarang-based boxer.

Suyoto said he was motivated to win in his future fights.

"I like the winning feeling," he said.