It's A Shame The Number Of Boxers At The Hanoi SEA Games Has Been Reduced, The National Team Manager: Disappointed, Things That Have Been Decided Have Changed

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The manager of the Indonesian boxing team, Hengky Silatang, regrets the reduction in the number of boxers who will depart for the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 12-23.

Based on the announcement from the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali regarding athletes leaving for Hanoi, boxing has six athlete slots. Whereas so far, the Central Board of the All-Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (PP Pertina) has prepared seven names to appear in the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia.

From the men's sector, there are Kornelis Kwangu Langu (Bali) in the 52 kg class, Farrand Papendang (North Sulawesi) in the 63 kg class, and Sarohatua Lumbantobing (North Sumatra) in the 69 kg class. Maikel Muskita (West Java) in the 81 kg class, and Sandy (West Java) in the 91 kg class. Meanwhile, for women, there is Novita Sinadia (DKI Jakarta) in the 57 kg class and Uswatun Hasanah (West Nusa Tenggara) in the 60 kg class.

"Disappointed, because things that have been decided previously have changed. Do not look at boxing when it is in a slump. But you must also look at achievements and history," said Hengky Silatang as quoted by Antara, Friday.

According to Hengky, the sport of boxing in the country has a long history and many achievements. "Many Indonesian boxers have won Asia, around 20 boxers. So you have to look at that too, because hierarchically there is a chance to return to it (achievement), so don't stop it," said Hengky.

Hengky also believes that individual sports in Indonesia have greater potential for achievement.

With the decision from the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the number of athletes who go to the Hanoi SEA Games, it means that one name will be relegated and not appear in the multievent which was delayed by one year.

Pertina will consider by looking at the results of the boxers from trials in the championship in Phuket, Thailand on April 3-10. "Who is the best means those who will go to the SEA Games Hanoi," said Hengky.

However, if he gets the green light from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hengky said he would still dispatch one athlete independently.

The Indonesian contingent at the Hanoi SEA Games has announced that there are 476 athletes from 31 sports. They are those who will be dispatched at the expense of the state budget in accordance with the decision of the review team and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This number decreased by about 43.4 percent from the Philippines SEA Games in 2019.

The government has decided to reduce the number of sports that will be sent to the 2022 SEA Games due to budget constraints and priority levels.

On the other hand, the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Ferry J Kono said that sending athletes independently was not possible because the deadline for entry by name for the Hanoi SEA Games contingent ended on March 31.

"Considering the very limited time (entry by name) with (considering) the track record (achievement), because we are independent, we also do a review. From the results of the review at the KOI sport development, we will not propose athletes who will compete independently," said Ferry.

"I don't see the potential for being 'naughty' considering that the entry by name form must be sent with the signature of the Secretary-General of KOI," said Ferry adding

Meanwhile, Indonesian boxing at the previous SEA Games in the Philippines in 2019 brought home two silvers and four bronzes. Kornelis Kwangu Langu (46-49kg male) and Endang (women's 48kg) won silver respectively.

The four boxers who won bronze were Farrand Papendang (60 kg for men), Grece Savon Simangunsong (69 kg for men), Silpa Lau Ratu (54 kg for women), and Huswatun Hasanah (60 kg for women).