Candra, Tony call on PBSI to allow individual patrons<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world number one men's doubles
\nplayers Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan called on the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PBSI) Tuesday to allow players to have
\nindividual sponsorship deals.<\/p>\n
Candra and Tony -- who saved Indonesia's reputation by
\nclaiming the sole gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics -- also
\nquestioned the association's policy for the players contract with
\nJapan-based sports equipment company Yonex.<\/p>\n
"We are only asking for our rights. We have trained and worked
\nreally hard for this but the rewards are not worth our efforts,"
\nCandra said.<\/p>\n
"All the players want individual sponsorships but we still
\nhave no idea about the system."<\/p>\n
"We have spoken to other players and they approve the idea.
\nBut we will talk to them next week to discuss it further," Tony
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Candra said Yonex's collective sponsorship of PBSI made the
\nchances slim for player's to get co-sponsorships as business
\npeople had to make an annual contract of US$300,000.<\/p>\n
"It's really difficult for the business world to give a
\ncontract deal worth $300,000. For me, it's a monopoly which
\ncloses the door on other products to sponsor us."<\/p>\n
"Yonex is now monopolizing the deal with PBSI. They don't have
\nany competitors. PBSI should have been able to seek more
\nsponsors," Tony said.<\/p>\n
"We are not demanding PBSI give us rewards. All we want is the
\nassociation to give us a little respect by seeking better
\nsponsorship deals for the sake of the players," Candra replied.<\/p>\n
"It is very bad that players with high international
\nachievements like us receive less than our compatriots playing in
\nother countries."<\/p>\n
Candra was referring to his older brother Indra Wijaya, who is
\nnow playing for Singapore.<\/p>\n
Tony said by having individual sponsorships, players would
\nautomatically compete to be the best.<\/p>\n
"We all will fight really hard to stay on top as it also means
\nbig money for us. That's the positive side of individual
\nsponsorships. It will also boost the motivation of our juniors to
\nfollow in our footsteps as they see us work really hard and get
\nproper rewards in return."<\/p>\n
PBSI had renewed its four-year contract with Yonex of $1
\nmillion per year. Fifty percent of the contract goes to the
\nplayers while another half goes to the association. However,
\nplayers still have no idea on how the money is apportioned among
\nthem.<\/p>\n
"During the period as the world's number one, we don't get a
\nsimilar amount in every quarter. It depends on how many
\nIndonesian players reach the top four. We don't know the
\ncriteria," Tony said.<\/p>\n
Both Candra and Tony expressed their objection to the PBSI
\npolicy to cut 50 percent of their sponsorship contract.<\/p>\n
"It's really hard for us. We want the system to be changed.
\nThey should have compared their system with other countries. We
\ndon't get any pension money after the peak of our career is over.
\nWe must think about our future for ourselves," Candra said.<\/p>\n
Candra and Tony received a house each from real estate tycoon
\nCiputra -- chairman of the Jaya Raya club -- in a modest ceremony
\nat Ciputra Hotel.<\/p>\n
Ciputra expressed his hope that members of Jaya Raya would be
\nable to follow Candra and Tony's path by winning the gold for
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
"The next question will be; can Jaya Raya produce Olympic
\nchampions in 2004? You all have to answer that by training hard
\nand playing well in tournaments. We can only support you by
\nproviding everything you need," Ciputra told players and coaches.<\/p>\n
"In another four years, the competition will be tougher and
\nthe challenges heavier. You must have the faith and will
\nsupported by hard work."<\/p>\n
Jaya Raya had produced 1992 Olympic gold medalists Susy
\nSusanti in the women's singles and Alan Budikusuma in the men's
\nsingles; 1996 Olympics silver medalist Mia Audina and bronze
\nmedalist Susy in the women's singles; and 2000 Olympics gold
\nmedalists Candra and Tony. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/candra-tony-call-on-pbsi-to-allow-individual-patrons-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}