KONI, IPSI cancel pencak silat c'ships

KONI, IPSI cancel pencak silat c'ships

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI)
and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) canceled the
pencak silat national championships here due to plans by some
parties to hoist the independent West Papua Morning Star flag on
Wednesday.

The championships will also serve as a qualifying tournament
for the 2000 National Games.

Irian Jaya coach Isak Montolalu said on Monday the event was
canceled based on a recommendation from the championships'
organizing committee.

"This is to anticipate the possibility of something bad
happening to athletes from all over the country," he said, adding
that Irian Jaya's goal was to win two pencak silat golds at PON.

The championships were rescheduled for January 2000 in
Jayapura. (eba)