PSSI meets Rp1 billion from c'ship gate entrance target

JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) meet its Rp 1 billion (US$486,000) gate entrance target for the 10-day intercity amateur soccer championship.

PSSI vice secretary Soemaryoto said after the conclusion of the biennial event on Sunday night that the organizers might rack up Rp 1.2 billion ($561,000) in cash through ticket sales.

"The amount of this season's revenue equals that in 1992," said Soemaryoto.

Sunday's grand finale at Senayan stadium earned PSSI around Rp 500 million ($234,000) as all 100,000 tickets were sold. Earlier on Friday, for the semifinals, the organizers received Rp 408 million ($191,000). Tickets for the semifinals and final were sold at between Rp 3,000 ($1.4) and Rp 25,000 ($11.70).

PSSI also claims that the April 8-13 qualifying round which featured eight teams gave it Rp 293 million ($137,000).

Persib Bandung took the symbol of national supremacy in amateur soccer for the third time in ten years after outclassing defending champion PSM Ujungpandang 2-0 on Sunday. Bandung produced a double when star striker Sutiono was named the best player.

A whopping amount of bonuses await Robby Darwis and company, who displayed superb attack-minded football before West Java Governor R. Nuriana during the final.

Nuriana said after the match that Sudwikatmono, a renowned tycoon who is also a close relative of President Soeharto, had promised to give them Rp 200 million ($93,600) in cash. The players will also receive Rp 10 million ($4,679) each from the West Java chapter of PSSI.

The kudos seems to have no end as PSSI is thinking of another form of reward for the champion. "We plan to send Persib abroad for an international meet," said PSSI chairman Azwar Anas.

Persib represented Indonesia in a tournament in Brunei in 1986 after its triumph in that year's intercity amateur soccer championship. The West Javanese won the international meet and brought home the Sultan's Cup.

Azwar gave no indication on whether the Bandung players will form the nucleus of the national team. The national side's assistant coach, Andi M. Teguh, however, said he considered picking Sutiono and Surabaya's Dodik Suprayogi to join the team preparing for the Independence Cup in August.

PSSI has announced that the international tournament held in conjunction with the republic's 49th anniversary will serve as the proving ground for Indonesia's campaign to take part in the soccer competition at the Hiroshima Asian Games in October. (amd)