Shattered dreams 'beat' boxers

JAKARTA (JP): Shattered dreams of becoming bureaucrats have knocked two boxing heroes down so hard they may be unable to fight at the upcoming PON National Games in Jakarta.

East Timor has pinned its gold-medal hopes on flyweight Listinho Miguel and light-flyweight Sebastiao da Silva at next month's national sports gala.

Concern with their condition was voiced by coach Philip Wattilete when local officials were evaluating their readiness for the national event.

Wattilete said his boxers lost their fighting spirit when they found out that they had failed their admission tests for civil servant posts in the provincial government.

"Until then, they were technically ready and we were sure that they were fit enough to take the gold in their categories," Wattilete said in a meeting led by local police chief Lt. Col. Silvianus Y. Wenas on Thursday.

Silvianus promised to use his connections with governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares to try and "free" Listinho and Sebastiao of their psychological burden, Antara reported yesterday. (pan)