Ligina final set for Friday in Manado

JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) will stage the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) final on Friday in Manado's Klabat stadium in North Sulawesi at 6:15 p.m. local time (5:15 p.m. Jakarta time).

PSSI spokesman Tondo Widodo said on Monday the date was set following a meeting with head organizer Maj. Gen. Sartomo, deputy Iswadi Idris and local organizer chairman Lucky Korah, who is also mayor of Manado.

"Some 110 people, including 60 members of both finalists and four referees, will fly to Manado on Tuesday morning with an Air Force Hercules aircraft," he said.

Dark horse PSIS Semarang, beating Persija Jakarta, cruised into the final to meet defending champion Persebaya Surabaya, who defeated PSMS Medan in the semifinals.

Tondo said the organizers have yet to decide ticket fees, adding that the competing teams would not be given their usual share of sales, saying the proceeds would be used to cover PSSI's financial loss of Rp 1.1 billion (US$126,440) in poor ticket sales.

The final, originally scheduled for last Sunday, had to be moved to the 25,000-seat stadium in Manado after Jakarta Police revoked the permit for security reasons.

Ten PSIS fans died in train accidents in South and East Jakarta on Thursday, hours before the semifinals began.

Security officials had also seized sharp weapons and explosives from soccer fans. Clashes occurred sporadically during the playoffs.

Separately, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono regretted the decision but said he accepted the police's argument of controlling security in the capital prior to the general election in June.

"We can't just blame them for the decision, but the general situation where certain people want to exploit crowds for their own interest. Please, don't use sports events for political purposes," he said.

Agung said soccer club supporters should not carry weapons which could endanger other fans and competitors.

"Their fanaticism should help the competition run smoothly. We are worried if some provocateurs use the events for their own goals," he said.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar said Jakarta Police expected chaos if the final was held in the capital.

"We would risk security and social order if the Ligina final was staged in the capital. Based on our evaluation, the city police decided to shift the venue to outside Jakarta," he said. (ivy)