Badminton competition falls short<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The inaugural school badminton competition is set to begin in
\nBandung, West Java, in December, but the next stage of the
\ncompetition, which would ensure a more consistent national
\ndevelopment program, has yet to be worked out.<\/p>\n
The competition will be staged at the elementary school (SD)
\nand junior high school (SMP) levels as part of a campaign to
\nintroduce youths to badminton as early as possible, according to
\norganizers.<\/p>\n
\"This is part of the government's program to further
\npopularize badminton throughout the country,\" organizing
\ncommittee member Minarni Sudaryanto said here on Monday.<\/p>\n
However, the prospect for consistent development is not
\nguaranteed because of the absence of a next stage for the
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
Given the structure of the national education system, taking
\nthe competition to the next level would mean bringing it to high
\nschools (SMUs).<\/p>\n
\"(A competition at the high school level) is not in our plans
\nas yet. Maybe that will be next. We are looking elsewhere at the
\nmoment. Winners can join a junior championship or be given
\nscholarships to continue training at the Ragunan School,\" Minarni
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The 2003 junior championship is scheduled to take place in
\nYogyakarta in July. Ragunan is a reference to the Jakarta sports
\nacademy.<\/p>\n
Minarni said the school competition would start in Bandung,
\nwith eight schools selected from about 32 taking part in the
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
\"The competition is a follow-up to an agreement made between
\nthe Ministry of National Education and the Badminton Association
\nof Indonesia (PBSI), which in May agreed on the need to find and
\ntrain young shuttle players at an early age,\" Minarni said.<\/p>\n
The competition in Bandung is scheduled for Dec. 11 to Dec.
\n13.<\/p>\n
West Java is one of eight provinces involved in this school
\nbadminton competition pilot project. The other seven provinces,
\nwhich will host competitions in January or February, are East
\nJava, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Banten, Jakarta, North Sumatra
\nand South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
The competitions will be held every Saturday and Sunday, with
\ntwo singles and a doubles match, in both the boys and girls'
\ncategories.<\/p>\n
With about 6,000 students expected to get involved, the
\ncompetition should help the PBSI locate numerous possible
\ncandidates for the national badminton training center.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/badminton-competition-falls-short-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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