RI to host 5th Merdeka Cup

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)