Padang rejects Sampdoria visit

Thu, 06 Apr 1995

JAKARTA (JP): Semi-professional club Semen Padang, West Sumatra, has turned down an offer from Italian giant Sampdoria to make its second trip to Indonesia, a club official says.

Semen Padang boss Syafwan Arifin said yesterday that Sampdoria had proposed through a travel agent in Seoul a friendly match in June which would cost the local club US$250,000 in appearance fees. The Italians also asked Semen Padang to provide flight tickets as well as accommodation in a five-star hotel during their stay in the province.

"We are very happy to hear that. However, for the time being we cannot afford to accept the offer due to the busy program in our national league," Syafwan was quoted by Antara as saying. Syafwan said his club would spend at least Rp 750 million ($338,000) for the international match.

Sampdoria visited Indonesia last year for a friendly match against the national team. The Italians won 3-2, with its international Indonesian striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto scoring one. (amd)

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