President's Cup boxing takes a break this year

President's Cup boxing takes a break this year

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will not stage the President's Cup boxing championships this year due to the busy international agenda.

Imron Z.S., executive chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association, said yesterday that the annual tournament, scheduled for August, would only distract national boxers' preparations for the Olympic Games and the National Games.

The Olympics take place from July 19 to Aug. 4, while the National Games take place September.

"We are afraid of the quality of entrants if we insist on hosting the Cup this year. Everybody is heading for the Olympics, and will probably ignore the Cup," Imron said.

The tournament began in 1976 and is among the international tournaments sanctioned by the International Amateur Boxing Association. Boxers from Cuba, the then Soviet Union and the United States have been notable participants in the past.

Imron said that the Cup will resume next year with some possible changes. "We want the Cup to give a positive atmosphere to the 19th Southeast Asian Games here next year," he said.

Imron said that the 1997 tournament could be moved one month from its original schedule to allow Southeast Asian boxers to relax before entering the Games. Indonesia plans to host the biennial sporting meet in September.

The national boxing body is also considering choosing a new venue next year. "Everybody may be fed up with competing in Jakarta," Imron said.

He complained that the tournament has witnessed a poor turn- out in the past two years, even though the organizers offered free tickets.

"We hope to see more enthusiastic fans outside Jakarta. People here have become too busy to watch the prestigious boxing championships," Imron said.

Indonesia has won the overall championship title for the past two years. It first clinched the title in 1976. (amd)