EAST TIMOR: East Timor cockfighting fanatics look to preserve the practice as a traditional sport that can boost tourism, and not just be seen as a form of gambling.

Record ID: 375557

  • Title: EAST TIMOR: East Timor cockfighting fanatics look to preserve the practice as a traditional sport that can boost tourism, and not just be seen as a form of gambling.
  • Date: 24th March 2012
  • Summary: REFEREE AND OWNERS WATCHING FIGHT COCKFIGHTING WINNER GETTING MONEY MAN HOLDING MAN OUTSIDE ARENA START OF ANOTHER MATCH
  • Embargoed: 8th April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Timor-Leste
  • Country: Timor-Leste
  • Topics: People,Lifestyle,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2N2QWSIMVOJFNFD7C3Y93P4T6
  • Story Text: East Timor cockfighting fanatics hope to preserve the practice as a traditional game, rather than just a form of gambling.
    Though the government has legalised betting during cock fights, locals prefer that the practice be viewed more as a sport or even art.
    Cockfighting is one of the most popular pastimes in East Timor.
    In this rundown arena in the capital Dili, there can be more than 50 fights per day, with bets made up to $1,000 USD depending on the class of the rooster.
    According to government regulation, cockfighting is a traditional game that must be preserved by law in the predominantly Roman-Catholic country.
    "Cockfighting or locally known as "manufutu" is an ancient traditional game. Hundreds of years ago, they were fighting between suburbs, so the government regards cockfighting as a tradition," said Miguel Lobato, director-general of Game Inspection at the Tourism Ministry.
    He added that the ministry of tourism is waiting for government regulations to be granted so they can take full control and plan the future of the game.
    "In the future, government plans to build infrastructure for those cockfighters and give it to an individual or a group organisers for cock-fighting events," Lobato said.
    The regulation is expected to have a tighter control over cockfighting to make sure they are not mixed with gambling activities.
    Bernardino Soares, a 45-year-old shop owner and cockfighting lover, said he does not make money from the activity.
    "This is not my job, it's not the place to get money. It is only for pleasure and a hobby. I don't go there everyday. We only go there for cockfighting every Saturday or Monday when they are off from their jobs," Soares said, after giving showers to one of the 10 roosters he owns.
    Prized roosters are treated like athletes, given generous supplies of food and endurance supplements. A good fighting cock can fetch up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
    He also disagrees with the link between cockfighting and gambling. He suggests a new way government can preserve the tradition and yet gain profit from it.
    "In my opinion, the tourism ministry should take control of this and give to private sector to provide better venues so the government can get tax from this," he said.
    Men need no reason to attend cock fights, held on social occasions or even formal events, and sometimes part of weekly markets.
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