Manado people greet both Ligina finalists

Manado people greet both Ligina finalists

JAKARTA (JP): Manadonese provided an evenhanded welcome to
PSIS Semarang and Persebaya Surabaya players in the North
Sulawesi capital on Tuesday, placing banners for both teams along
the route from the airport to their hotel.

The 110-strong contingent of officials and players, to compete
in the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) final at Klabat
stadium, arrived at Sam Ratulangi Airport in the afternoon.

Manado mayor Lucky Korah, also chairman of local organizers,
and officials of the provincial chapter of the National Sports
Council welcomed the two squads, who arrived in an Air Force
Hercules aircraft.

They were also greeted by traditional Kabasaran folk dances
accompanied by bamboo musical instruments as they entered the
airport guest lounge, Antara said.

PSIS, which upset favorite Persija Jakarta in the semifinals,
will challenge defending champion Persebaya in Friday's final.
Persebaya eliminated PSMS Medan in the last four.

The final, originally scheduled last Sunday at Senayan stadium
here, was moved to the 25,000-seat stadium after Jakarta Police
revoked the permit due to security concerns.

Hooliganism disrupted several games and nine Semarang soccer
fans were fatally crushed by a train on Thursday, only hours
before the semifinals began. Another man was electrocuted on a
train roof. A fan injured in the crushing incident died on
Tuesday.

North Sulawesi governor Evert Erens Mangindaan said local
residents would help maintain security and social order during
the last competition.

"We accepted the offer to stage the final here because we are
fully supported by the locals," Mangindaan was quoted by Antara
as saying on Tuesday.

Giyono P., a representative of the executive directors of the
Senayan stadium, estimated Rp 23 million (US$2,644) in losses due
to vandalism during the semifinals.

Fences and wooden and fiberglass seats were broken and burned
by fans from sector nine to 21 of the 24-sector stadium.

"Based on our agreement, PSSI will be responsible for any
damage caused during the playoffs. We realize they are busy with
preparations for the final, but we'll ask them to pay for the
loss later on." He did not specify a deadline for payment.

Hooligans caused Rp 85 million in losses to the Senayan
stadium during the 1997 league. PSSI has not paid for the losses.

PSSI provided a guarantee of Rp 110 million as stadium rental
for the 10 games. It was based on the provision of 10 percent of
ticket sales or a minimum of Rp 10 million per game. However,
PSSI has yet to pay Rp 23 million in profits from the semifinal
ticket sales.

Ligina organizing chairman Maj. Gen. Sartomo and PSSI
spokesman Tondo Widodo were not available for comment on the
losses. (ivy/yan)