Government has to guarantee our future, athletes say<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): They stood on the stage carrying banners saying
\nthey received millions of rupiah in cash bonuses Saturday evening
\nin a handing over ceremony at TVRI auditorium. The ceremony
\nitself was broadcast nationwide by TVRI, TPI and ANteve.<\/p>\n
But as they stepped down from the stage, they still have one
\nbig question in their minds. What will happen to our future?<\/p>\n
Therefore Olympics gold medalist Tony Gunawan, voicing all the
\nathletes' hopes, expected the government to give a guarantee that
\nathletes would be looked after once their sporting careers were
\nover.<\/p>\n
\"We may be on top of the world today but who knows what will
\nhappen in the future. That's why we need a kind of guarantee from
\nthe government to support our future lives,\" said Tony, who
\nretained the Olympics gold medal tradition with partner Candra
\nWijaya.<\/p>\n
\"Badminton is all I can do. I don't know yet what to do after
\nmy golden age is over.\"<\/p>\n
Tony also said that badminton offered a good chance to earn
\nmoney over the course of a year due to its tight competition
\nschedules all over the world.<\/p>\n
\"But what about our weightlifters? There aren't so many events
\nfor them to compete in. They have to wait for a while,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Tony and Candra shared a Rp 1 billion (US$117,700) bonus
\nprovided by the company behind Extra Joss energy drink.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's silver medalist weightlifter Lisa Rumbewas and
\nshuttler Hendrawan received Rp 300 million each while badminton
\nmixed doubles Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur shared Rp 400
\nmillion. Two bronze medalists, weighlifters Sri Indriyani and
\nWinarni, each pocketed Rp 150 million.<\/p>\n
Badminton head coach Christian Hadinata received Rp 500
\nmillion representing seven other coaches while weightlifting
\ncoaches got Rp 100 million each.<\/p>\n
Tony's plight for better attention for athletes was also
\nshared by Minarti saying that it would be a good idea to provide
\na scheme to support their lives after their golden era.<\/p>\n
\"It's already a common thing in other countries that athletes
\nare supported by their governments. It would be a good idea if
\nour government can also provide such a scheme,\" she told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"We athletes have little time to do or think about our future.
\nAll we care about is to train hard and perform our best in many
\nevents. I myself still have to think it over,\" added Minarti.<\/p>\n
She gave the example of Rexy Mainaky who was thinking about
\ntraining in England considering his current condition.<\/p>\n
The promised bonuses had little impact, if any, to the
\nathletes' motivation during the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"Our main target was how to win the gold medal and not to get
\nthe bonus. I have to admit, however, that it lifted our spirit
\nbut it was not the main thing,\" said Minarti.<\/p>\n
Tony gave an even sharper comment on the promised bonus.<\/p>\n
\"Candra and I didn't want to think about the bonus at all. All
\nwe did was concentrate on our training and the games. Our utmost
\ngoal was to defend the country through our skills,\" he told the
\nPost firmly. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-has-to-guarantee-our-future-athletes-say-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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