Setya Novanto, Executive Board chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (PB Pertina) made the statement after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential office here on Thursday.
"We want to become overall champion, so that boxing can create a good image to the nation," Novanto said.
According to him, around 260 athletes from 29 countries will participate in the championship.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the amateur boxing tournament President`s Cup XXI at Gelora Bung Karno indoor tennis stadium in Jakarta on Monday, July 4, 2011.
The host Indonesia provides three teams, namely Garuda, Rajawali, and Elang, each with eight male and six female boxers.
"The boxing championship was held back after a vacuum for seven years and as a preparation for the upcoming SEA Games," he said.
In the meantime, Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng who accompanied President Yudhyohono in the meeting with the Executive Board chairman of the Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association said that the president welcomed the boxing championship.
"Implementation of the president cup becomes grand boxing event, since the 1970s which had turned out the national and even the international level boxers for example Elyas Pical and Thomas Americo," Novanto cited.
Setya Novanto in meeting with the president was among others accompanied by chairman of the President cup organizing committee Serta Ginting.
(Uu.B003/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
