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)