RI to host WBC annual convention
RI to host WBC annual convention
JAKARTA (JP): The World Boxing Council (WBC) confirmed on
Thursday that Jakarta would host the 39th Annual World Convention
in November.
Chairman of WBC Finance Committee Chandru G. Lalwani told a
media briefing that he was ready to prepare accommodation for
more than 400 representatives from 161 countries and nine
federations across the world for the Nov. 11 to Nov. 17 event.
"It will take US$675,000 to stage the convention excluding
WBC's expenses. I will set up a committee for the preparation
shortly. We will figure out how to source funds," he said.
According to a letter faxed by WBC president Jose Sulaiman on
Tuesday, the council would like to keep one full day of the
convention to discuss medical issues.
"The instructions given by Sulaiman have stressed the
importance of medical aspects which would be a priority on our
agenda for our convention in Indonesia, committing all WBC
doctors to join efforts so medical items were defined and
clarified in November, for new measures to be enforced," Lalwani
said.
He also said that WBC had set an item on the agenda to improve
the performance of ring officials.
"The WBC would begin a campaign to achieve an extensive
attendance at our convention of referees and judges from all over
the world," he said.
Sulaiman also said in his fax he hoped the President of
Indonesia could officially open the convention.
"We have received support from President Abdurrahman Wahid.
But we don't know whether he could fulfill our request to open
the event," said Lalwani, adding that the National Police chief
and the Minister of National Education had agreed to serve as
advisors.
Boxing promoter Boy Bolang, who also attended the media
briefing, expressed enthusiasm over the meeting.
He said the Indonesian professional boxing community could
learn from foreign counterparts' experiences, particularly in
dealing with safety and medical treatment.
"This is the right time for the Indonesian professional boxing
community to speed up our progress. We have seen two Indonesian
boxers die after their bouts within one month. Boxer' safety and
medical treatment were key issues for Indonesian boxers,
managers, trainers and promoters," said Boy, who promoted former
super flyweight boxer Ellyas Pical to win his OPBF (Oriental
Pacific Boxing Federation) title in 1984.
Boy also said that Indonesia could also study how to manage
professional bouts on TV. Currently RCTI and Indosiar are
broadcasting live boxing matches.
"I could say that 60 percent of boxers performing on TV don't
meet the criteria of professional boxers. Only 30 percent
fulfilled the requirements while the remaining 10 percent were
really good boxers."
"There are many boxers who only train for three months before
performing on TV. They could be easily knocked out by any amateur
boxer. The amateur boxers are more skillful now," he said.
Boy also hoped that visitors could enlighten the Indonesian
boxing fans to appreciate a professional bout.
"The general public don't understand how to appreciate a bout.
They only like to see how people punched back after being hit
first by another and the bloodshed that accompanied the fight.
But that kind of bout is not worth watching." (ivy)