Distribute money based on achievements: Players<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian world-class shuttlers want the
\nBadminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to distribute contract
\nmoney from Japanese sports equipment producer Yonex, based on
\nathlete's achievements instead of their chosen discipline within
\nthe sport.<\/p>\n
Men's doubles specialist Candra Wijaya said on Friday that
\nplayers should still receive payment for the last three months of
\n2000 as agreed under the 1996-2000 sponsorship deal.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the money will be disbursed to the players based on
\nour achievements instead of our disciplines. So far, PBSI and
\nYonex divide the money based on the disciplines, ignoring the
\nachievements of athletes in that discipline,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Candra was referring to the bigger figure received by women's
\nsingles players than that received by mixed doubles players,
\ndespite the latter managing to contribute a silver medal at the
\n2000 Sydney Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't discussed the percentage division for the next
\nterm. We still have to draft a proposal before submitting it to
\nchairman Subagyo (Hadisiswoyo). We will leave the percentage
\ndivision to Subagyo and other officials but we have conveyed our
\nmessage on the changing in contract money.\"<\/p>\n
Candra and Hendrawan met Subagyo on Friday morning to discuss
\nthe contract system. Subagyo asked them to prepare a draft for
\nthe new system before discussing it with him next week.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Subagyo was very open and he gave us freedom to decide
\nwhich system is best for us.\"<\/p>\n
Players held an internal meeting after training to discuss any
\nfuture deal. Most players wanted to have individual sponsorships
\ninstead of the ongoing collective system.<\/p>\n
PBSI receives US$1 million from Yonex per year and is
\npermitted to raise additional sponsorships with a combined value
\nof $300,000 per year.<\/p>\n
However, the idea of individual sponsorships without any other
\nsupport received a mixed reaction among the shuttlers. Top
\nplayers are eager to have the new system but the juniors and
\nlower-ranked players seem unprepared.<\/p>\n
The 1997 men's doubles world champion, Sigit Budiarto, hoped
\nthat PBSI would stage an open tender for companies before
\nappointing any of them to become the players' sponsors.<\/p>\n
\"We were greatly assisted by our seniors under the collective
\nsystem. But it doesn't suit the demand nowadays. People must
\nrespect and honor our achievements,\" said Sigit, who received
\n$10,000 per three-month term during his glory days before being
\nbanned due to doping charges.<\/p>\n
Women's doubles player Cynthia Tuwankotta also supported the
\nidea although she was unsure of how to attract sponsors.<\/p>\n
\"The new system will boost our motivation to work harder and
\nto achieve more in international tournaments. We will also have a
\nbigger responsibility to the sponsor as we don't want to
\ndisappoint them,\" said Cynthia, ranked eighth in the world, and
\nwho only received $2,000 and Rp 11 million per three-month
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
In contrast, men's singles player Johan Hadikusuma, ranked
\n23rd in the world, expressed pessimism at his potential to find
\nsponsors.<\/p>\n
\"For players with lower rankings like me, it will be difficult
\nto get sponsors. Big companies will only contract the top
\nplayers. What will happen to us,\" said Johan who claimed to only
\nreceive $700 and Rp 2 million each three-month term. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/distribute-money-based-on-achievements-players-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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