National boxers to train in Cuba
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) will send boxers for a two-month overseas stint in Cuba as the final preparation for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September.
"Pertina has yet to decide on the number of boxers it will send to Cuba. Due to financial difficulties, we will most probably prioritize boxers who have a chance of winning gold medals," Pertina's deputy secretary-general Didiet Soedijoto said on Wednesday.
"But chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar, urged Pertina to send all boxers."
Didiet said a boxer would need about US$4,000 for the 50-day overseas training. The boxers will leave in early July and return in August.
"The $4,000 covers the airfare of $1,500, meal allowance of $2,000 and other expenses of $500. But I'm still trying to extend their stay by five days."
"The boxers will compete in two or three championships during their stay to gain fighting experience."
Didiet pointed out that it would be impossible to gain experience at home due to the lack of competitions.
"Ideally, they must compete in 30 fights during their preparation for the Games. They will get about half of it by participating in the championships in Cuba. Besides, there are plenty of qualified sparring partners for our boxers.
The last national competition was the elite Golden Glove (STE) Championships, which was dominated by boxers preparing for the SEA Games.
"Boxers being groomed for the Games grabbed most of the titles although there were several exceptions. But generally, they are the best in the country," said Didiet.
"The boxers didn't find any real challenge to improve their skills. Another problem was the participants were limited so they had less matches than open championships."
Prior to the overseas stint, Pertina had sent six boxers to the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, in May. Four of them managed to grab two silvers and two bronzes.
The silver medalists are Joko Suryono in light middleweight (71 kilograms) and Stevie Binalay in light welterweight (63.5 kg). Alredo Rumbiak in light flyweight (48 kg) and Karel Moskanan in bantamweight (54 kg) secured the bronzes.
Commenting on the results, Didiet said it was the best result considering their training phase.
"The boxers have yet to reach their peak form targeted for the SEA Games. Let Cuban coach Carlos Jesus Penate Torres work on his program to get the best results."
Pertina is aiming to grab three out of 11 golds at stake at the SEA Games. (nvn)