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)