Volleyball tourney goes on despite last-minute no-shows

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite the eleventh-hour withdrawal of several teams, the 2004 Main Division of the Volleyball League (Livoli) will be held at Bima Sports Hall in Cirebon, West Java, from Jan. 10-Jan. 15.

Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) secretary-general Saptandri said on Wednesday the 2004 Livoli -- held over until January by the full schedule of volleyball events last year -- would feature six teams each in its men's and women's events.

"The Livoli is the ultimate championship, aside from the regional championship and the national championship," Saptandri told a news conference.

Participating men's teams are Jasa Marga Jakarta, the National Military (TNI) Jakarta, DPPK Jakarta, Apac Inti Jakarta, Mitzuda Yuso Gunadarma Yogyakarta and Bandung Tectona.

Jasa Marga Jakarta, TNI Jakarta, Popsivo Jakarta, PLN Jakarta Mitzuda Yuso Gunadarma Yogyakarta and Bandung Tectona will take part in the women's event.

However, three men's and women's teams withdrew from the event, claiming their players were unprepared.

They are BNI Jakarta, Samator and Telkomsel in the men's draw, and BNI Jakarta, Petrokimia Gresik and Bank Sumsel in the women's. BNI Jakarta was heavily favored in both the men's and women's competitions.

Saptandri criticized the no-shows, and said the volleyball association would implement sanctions against them.

However, he said the presence of several national squad players mean the quality of the tournament would not be affected.

Top players include Uus Susansah, Rian Avianto, Octavian and the U-185 national team member Rastoni, all from Bandung Tectona, and Mitzuda Yuso's M. Zaenuddin.

Saptandri said that there was no age limit in the 2004 Livoli, because teams were not ready to implement such a restriction.

For the 2005 Livoli, scheduled for November, the association plans to restrict each squad to a maximum of three players aged above 25.

Winning teams receive Rp 15 million (US$1,600) respectively, with Rp 10 million for the runner up, Rp 7.5 million for the third-place team and Rp 5 million for fourth.

The event is sponsored by tobacco company PT HM Sampoerna through its cigarette product Sampoerna Hijau.