La Paene still training for SEA Games: Pertina
La Paene still training for SEA Games: Pertina
JAKARTA (JP): Boxer La Paene Masara is still part of the
Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) training camp for
the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite the fact
that he has left the camp for personal reasons.
"Pertina is keeping La Paene on board because we need his
presence at the Games. We consider him a boxer with the potential
to win a medal at the Games," Pertina's boxing project manager,
I.G. Mulyono, was quoted as saying by Antara news agency on
Wednesday.
"He will not be severely sanctioned (for leaving training
camp) because we understand he is still looking for a job to
support his family."
La Paene has asked Pertina several times to help him find a
job so he can support his wife Nuraini and their two children, 3-
year-old Natasha and 8-month-old Galvin.
He again expressed his frustration on Monday, threatening to
leave amateur boxing and turn professional.
La Paene's highest achievement to date was reaching the
quarterfinals of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. At the 2000
Sydney Olympics, he crashed out of the competition in the second
round.
Mulyono said Pertina was still trying to find La Paene a job
that would allow him to maintain his training schedule.
"However, La Paene must demonstrate his commitment first by
meeting all the disciplinary requirements set by his coach. He
must come back to the training center and begin the training
program soon.
"We will have no other option but expel him if he violates our
rules," Mulyono said.
Separately, professional boxing analyst Syamsul Anwar Harahap
said he expected the Professional Sports Development Board
(Bapopi) to be disbanded following the dissolution of the office
of the state minister of youth affairs and sports late last year.
"Bapopi is a useless institution that did nothing for the
development of professional sports, especially professional
boxing," he was quoted as saying by Antara.
"It only adds to the bureaucracy. Previously, promoters did
not have to get Bapopi's approval when applying for a police
permit to hold a professional boxing bout. But now the promoters
have to get Bapopi's approval first.
"It has had no function as long as it has existed." (nvn)