Official wants revival of SEA Games spirit
Official wants revival of SEA Games spirit
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should push for a fair-play campaign instead of an overall title triumph at the 1997 Southeast Asian Games, a boxing official says.
Imron ZS, executive director of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association, said yesterday that Indonesia should use its role as host of the 1997 Games to remind participants of the event's original purpose.
"If we decide to pursue the overall title as the ultimate objective during the upcoming Games, we will easily fall prey to sportsmanship violations," Imron said.
"Our main job is to guarantee that visiting teams are satisfied with our services."
Imron was commenting on Indonesia's defeat and his team's failure to win any gold medals at the 18th SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, two weeks ago.
He said that sportsmanship violations marred Thailand's surprising gold medal haul in the boxing finals. All 11 Thais who reached the boxing finals won top honors, leaving the remaining single gold to the Philippines. Five Indonesians and seven Filipinos also advanced to the finals.
SEA Games boxing was more balanced at the two previous occasions. In 1991 in Manila, the Philippines earned six golds, Thailand four and Indonesia two. Two years ago, the Philippines and Thailand collected five golds each and Indonesia two.
Imron said he was concerned about the situation in Chiang Mai. "If Indonesia is willing to justify all means to regain the overall title, the Games will mean nothing but a battle front," he said.
"It's time to return to the main idea of the Games: that is, friendship among Southeast Asian countries," he added.
Imron told Indonesian journalists following middleweight Pino Bahari's loss to his Thai opponent in Chiang Mai that he would suggest that Indonesian boxers not participate in at least two tournaments hosted by Thailand, to protest what he called unfair conduct.
Imron, who is also vice president of the Association of International Boxing Amateurs, said that he had formally asked the association's president Anwar Chowdry to take the problem more seriously.
"I realize that a protest by the Indonesian contingent protest won't do any good but at least we have to show our dislike of their stand," he said.
Imron said the Philippine team asked Indonesia to walk out of the final. "But we refused this idea," he said. "If we wanted to walk out of the Games we should have done it earlier."
Imron said he would insist on persuading Indonesian boxers not to ever participate in an event hosted by Thailand unless the country can guarantee fair competition.
Meanwhile, the national boxing body will start its 1996 program by sending six boxers to the Mayor's Cup championship in Cebu, Philippines next month. The six boxers are Pino Bahari, Arthur Rambing, Hendrik Simangunsong, Lapaene Masara, Sonny Rambing and Herman Sembako.
The pugilists are being trained by Sutan Rambing and Johnny Riberu, along with assistant coach Johnny Wane from North Sulawesi. (05)