Padang rejects Sampdoria visit

Padang rejects Sampdoria visit

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)