Pertina gears up for 2001 SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): In its preparation for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) is grooming 10 boxers to compete in three separate championships during the year-end.

"It's a part of our preparation for the SEA Games in the short term. In a longer term, we are aiming for the Pusan 2002 Asian Games and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games," Pertina's deputy secretary general, Didit Soedijoto, told reporters at his office Wednesday.

"The boxers will fight in the Agong's Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Taipei Cup in Kaohsiung, and junior championship in Budapest," he added.

Pertina is preparing finweight Bonix Sawiko, light flyweight Rolland Latumi, flyweight Dede Chandra, bantamweight Afriadin and light welterweight Stevi Binalay (63.5 kg) for the Malaysia's tournament from Nov. 10 to Nov. 18.

In Kaohsiung from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, Bonix and Rolland will be accompanied by flyweight Karel Moskana, bantamweight Juan Saparipan and Bara Gomies light welterweight 63.5 kg.

For the Budapest junior tournament from Nov. 4 to Nov. 13, Pertina will only send two boxers. Melky Lelemboto will fight either in the light flyweight or flyweight and Doddy Syah Bahari in light welterweight.

Didit said Bonix and Rolland were send to more tournaments regarding on their better chances to go through early rounds.

"We're closely monitoring all boxers. We'll evaluate them before sending them abroad. If they show no progress, we can reduce the number of boxers to be sent."

Meanwhile, head coach Ferry Moniaga revealed Pertina would soon call 40 boxers to enter the national training camp to start their preparation.

"The names are already in my pocket but I can't give it to you now because it's not official yet," he told reporters.

"There are 28 boxers to be prepared for SEA Games and 12 other junior boxers to be prepared for longer term targets."

Indonesia would field its boxers in all class in the SEA Games except the super heavyweight division.

Ferry said Pertina would hold a centralized national training camp instead of a decentralized one.

"There will be about 12 boxers from all over the country with only about four coaches. It's impossible to hold a decentralized training camp," he said.

"We'll also involve John Amanoponyo from South Sulawesi and Max Wuwungan from North Sulawesi in our coach lineup," added Ferry.

Currently, the coaches are lead by Cuban coach Carlos Penate Torres, who will still coach the national squad until 2004. (nvn)