OPBF accepts BPPOPI's request for membership

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Pacific and Orient Boxing Federation (OPBF) has accepted the government-sponsored Professional Sports Supervising and Controlling Body (BPPOPI) as the country's sole representative to the regional boxing organization.

OPBF President Frank Quill said in a statement, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, that BPPOPI would replace the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI), which has been the OPBF member for 30 years.

The federation applies a one-country one-representative ruling.

"The OPBF accepted the authority of BPPOPI...and is awaiting a simple letter of application to formalize BPPOPI as Indonesia's OPBF member," Quill said.

He added that KTI would remain as OPBF member pending its formal acceptance of BPPOPI.

Indonesia is moving to establish BPPOPI as a replacement for BAPOPI which was under the authority of the dismantled State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Office. The government has said the professional sports controlling body will begin working early next year.

Quill said before the Indonesian government's bid, the splinter group of KTI, the Indonesian Boxing Association (ATI), had requested for recognition as the OPBF member other than KTI.

The government made its formal bid for OPBF membership during the federation's annual congress in Pattaya, Thailand early this month. The Indonesian delegates then sought discussion on accepting BPPOPI into OPBF membership.

The move followed a series of ring deaths -- five in 18 months -- blamed on lack of safety concerns among fight organizers. During the congress, the World Boxing Council, the principal organization of OPBF, slapped a six-month international suspension on Indonesian boxers.

Quill said the Indonesian government had indicated its preparedness to act as the OPBF member during a telephone conversation with then-BAPOPI official, Iskandar Zulkarnaen, last June.

The OPBF Australian president denied reports that the provisional suspension would cost Indonesian boxers their WBC or OPBF rankings.

"Indonesians will continue to be rated, by merit, in the WBC and OPBF," Quill said.

He also brushed aside rumors that he masterminded the WBC's decision to punish Indonesia following the ring casualties and insisted that the federation maintain its commitment to assisting Indonesian boxing organizations.

KTI Chairman Anthon Sihombing had complained about OPBF's failure to help professional boxing in Indonesia.

Quill said OPBF "worked closely" with KTI and Anthon in supporting a medical seminar in Jakarta in May and a short course for registered and would-be trainers in August, also in Jakarta.