RI to host 5th Merdeka Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the fifth international Merdeka basketball tournament at the Senayan stadium here in Aug. 25 until Sept. 1, says Bunyamin Ramto, an official of the Basketball Association of Indonesia (Perbasi).

Ramto was quoted by a press-release made available yesterday that the tourney will be participated by contenders from six countries including the United States, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Taiwan and host Indonesia.

The statement indicated that Indonesia will field two teams which are Jakarta and East Java. It also cited that each of the local teams will be armed with two foreign players.

The press-release did not elaborate the nationalities of those players. Similarly, it did not explain whether the event is meant for amateur or professional teams.

The prizes at stake are US$5,000 for the third place, $10,000 for second and $15,000 for the champion. (hdj)