KONI gives another chance to misfit Bara for Asiad

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Sports Council (KONI) has given eliminated Bara Gomies one last chance to rejoin training camp for the 2002 Asian Games.

Although he was dropped from the national team due to his poor performance at the recent tryouts, Bara was allowed to go along with the team to a Cuban training camp.

"The door is still open for him to get back on board of the training 'ship', provided that he makes significant improvement during his Cuban outing," Rudolf Warouw, the project manager of the national training center, told the team on Wednesday during its meeting with KONI officials ahead of its departure to Cuba.

The team was led by Nono Sampono, the chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) and newly appointed team project manager Jetty Pattiasina.

Pertina initially had three candidates for the Asian Games.

Given their tryout record in Bangkok and Malaysia, Bara and Willem Papilaya did not appear to meet the performance standard set by KONI and were consequently let go.

The exits left Bonyx Saweho the only hopeful for the national boxing community at the Asian Games, which is scheduled to be staged in Busan, South Korea, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14.

However, things are not completely over yet for Bara.

"KONI actually wants more than just one boxer for the Asian Games. We'll see after the Cuban outing. Those who show positive results in Cuba will likely join the trip," Warouw said.

"In Cuba, you must prove that you still deserve a place on the team," he said, apparently addressing Bara. He also called for an objective appraisal of its squad from the boxing body.

Bara said he was ready to leave behind his failures at the tryouts and look ahead to Cuban camp.

"I'm looking forward to Cuba and I do hope that I can make the best of it," he said.

The Cuban outing also includes junior Melky Lelemboto, who is being prepared for the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam. The team is scheduled to leave on Saturday.

Coach Carlos Jesus Penate Torres said that a plan had been drawn up for the boxers.

"They will take up training with the national junior teams of Cuba as well as fighters from a number of strong clubs," Torres, who is from Cuba, said.

"Twice a week, they will spar against strong fighters and if it is possible, they will take part in the world junior boxing championship in Santiago," he said.

"Within the next week, they must be as tough as can be expected and we will go to Busan full of optimism," he added.