PSSI to set date for final match

PSSI to set date for final match

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the fifth Indonesian Soccer League
(Ligina) organizing committee Maj. Gen. Sartomo and deputy Iswadi
Idris will fly to Manado, North Sulawesi, on Monday to set the
date of the final at Klabat sports stadium.

All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) spokesman Tondo Widodo
said on Sunday the officials would meet local final organizing
chairman Lucky Korah, who is also the Manado mayor, to discuss
detailed preparations.

Defending champion Persebaya Surabaya will face dark horse
PSIS Semarang in the final. Persebaya beat PSMS Medan and PSIS
defeated favorite Persija Jakarta in Thursday's semifinals.

Tondo said he would accompany the two teams to Manado on
Tuesday in an Air Force Hercules aircraft.

PSSI decided to move the Ligina final, which was scheduled for
Sunday evening, from Senayan stadium in Central Jakarta to Manado
after Jakarta Police revoked PSSI's permit due to security
reasons.

Ten PSIS fans died in train accidents in South and East
Jakarta on Thursday, hours before the semifinals began. Sporadic
violence occurred during the matches.

Lucky was quoted by Kompas daily on Sunday as saying Manado
was a fitting host for the final because it was politically
stable.

"In principal, Manadonese are open to newcomers. So we will
not hesitate to accept PSSI's offer to host the final," he said.

PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar has yet to announce the date of the
final, but said it would be held on either April 9 or April 10.

Chairman of the Indonesia Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo
Arismunandar regretted the decision and said that the final
should be held at the best site as originally decided.

"As the KONI chairman, I wish for the final to take place
according to the original plan and that it should not be moved to
another city," Wismoyo was quoted by Antara as saying on
Saturday. (ivy)