KONI makes U-turn over martial arts
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The National Sports Council (KONI) met with officials from the Indonesian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FOBI), a newly created ultimate fighting organization, on Wednesday in an apparent signal of the Council's recognition of the martial arts in Indonesia
KONI's recognition of the newly established organization seemed to be a turnabout from its previous stance.
"I'm interested in this discipline. This (the formation of FOBI) was a bold move because the sport has drawn pros and cons," KONI Chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar said in a meeting.
The meeting, held at the KONI office, was also attended by a Japanese consulting team.
"The sport should be managed in such a way that it is not only entertaining and commercially viable but also educates about sportsmanship," Wismoyo said.
Ironically, KONI's reception of the FOBI officials came after strong criticism of regularly broadcast ultimate fighting matches from the U.S. on a private television channel, TPI.
Two opposing fighters from different disciplines fight one another in a cage, without body protection and very few rules in what is called ultimate fighting. The television station has now begun to show matches between local ultimate fighters.
Alleging that the fights had violated the value of martial arts, KONI banned national athletes and its staff from getting involved in the TPI's contest officiating body.
The ban then prompted the resignation of Perry Pantouw, a former national judoka who is currently working with KONI, from his membership in the TPI ultimate fighting event.
FOBI Chairman Setya Novanto said that his organization, which was established in June, would cooperate with another private television station, RCTI, to hold an exhibition early next year.
Asked if FOBI and RCTI would also arrange an ultimate fighting television broadcast similar to TPI, Novanto was less than forthcoming. "Let's wait and see what we'll have on air."
Novanto, who is also the treasurer of KONI, said a six-member team had been in Japan to study further about the sport.
Mayumi Yamamoto of the Mont Communications, on behalf of the Japanese Pancrase Federation, said they had yet to negotiate on what should be arranged in order to push the development of the pancrase, the Japanese name for ultimate fighting, in Indonesia.
She said that the Japanese federation hailed the formation of FOBI and added that ultimate fighting deserved to be developed further given its value that the discipline taught a fighting spirit.
"After fighting we are supposed to appreciate each other in a sportsmanlike manner," she said.