Ligina final set for Friday in Manado

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)