Megawati lends name to trophy

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri approved a request from the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) to confer her name on the women's basketball league (Women's Kobatama) trophy, said Perbasi official in charge of Kobatama, Doedie Gambiro.

Doedie said after meeting Megawati on Monday that she was also scheduled to open the Women's Kobatama, scheduled from April 9 to April 14 at the Senayan basketball hall here.

He said the meeting was organized by Noviantika Nasution, treasurer of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and also deputy chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction at the House of Representatives.

"Noviantika was a national junior basketball player in the 1980s. But it has nothing to do with politics. She once watched a women's league here and asked us why the women's Kobatama was not held regularly. She asked us to organize the event and she invited us to meet Ibu Mega," Doedie told reporters.

He expressed hope that Perbasi would not have any difficulty in seeking sponsorship for the tournament, which is held annually.

"Kobatama officials and Novi will look for sponsorship."

Eight clubs -- Cahaya Lestari Surabaya, Bhinneka Sritex Solo, Sahabat Surabaya, Rajawali Bandung, Rajawali Sakti Surabaya, Merah Putih Jakarta, Aspac Jakarta and Mataram Utama Yogyakarta -- will compete in the tournament, which also offers a total of Rp 20 million (US$2,600) in prize money and medals.

Doedie said he would penalize any clubs which refused to play in the league.

"It was their request to increase the number of tournaments and now we have made the effort to realize it. So they have to participate or they will received sanctions."

He said the tournament would use the new 2x20 minutes playing system set by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). (ivy)