KONI makes U-turn over martial arts
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.