Indonesia Open offers higher prize money<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the Sanyo Indonesia Open will
\nincrease prize money for the five-star tournament to US$170,000
\nto attract more world-class foreign players, particularly from
\nChina, to compete at the event in July.<\/p>\n
General manager of PT Sanjaya Sakti, distributor of Sanyo,
\nNancy Felicia expressed hope that the effort could encourage many
\ncountries to compete in the July 25 to July 29 tournament at the
\nBung Karno Indoor Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"As the main sponsor, we really expect many world-class
\nshuttlers to compete at the annual event. One of the efforts to
\nencourage them to come is by raising the prize money," she
\nannounced at a media conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Last year's event offered $150,000.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary-
\ngeneral Leo Chandra Wiranata said that, besides increasing the
\nprize money, PBSI would also hold a campaign during the Sudirman
\nCup and World Championships in Seville, Spain, from May 28 to
\nJune 10 to explore possible incentives to encourage more
\nwidespread participation at the tournament.<\/p>\n
"We will ask China to send its best shuttlers to the
\ntournament. We hope the increase in prize money and the campaign
\nwill enable them to come here. We'll also explain that the
\npolitical situation here is not that bad."<\/p>\n
China has missed the Indonesia Open since 1997. Visa problems
\npresented the main obstacle but in 1998 and 1999 the country
\ncited political tension and the lack of security as the main
\nreasons for skipping the event. Last year, it only sent its
\nsecond-layer players.<\/p>\n
IMG Managing Director James White, the event organizers, said
\nthat the campaign would offer the world's top players from eight
\ncountries facilities such as two free hotel rooms including
\nbreakfast at the Jakarta Hilton International Hotel,
\ntransportation, entertainment and city tour programs.<\/p>\n
However, Leo turned down the possibility of asking the
\nInternational Badminton Federation (IBF) to take action over
\nChina's absence.<\/p>\n
"There's no way we can ask the IBF to force China to compete
\nat the Indonesia Open. What we can do is offer more substantial
\nprize money. If they still don't want to come, there's nothing
\nelse we can do."<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, defending champion Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan,
\nwho are now playing with different partners, declared their
\ncommitment to retain the men's doubles title.<\/p>\n
"We are committed to retaining the men's doubles title and we
\ndon't care who will take the title. It could be myself and Halim
\nHeryanto, Candra and Sigit Budiarto or Flandy Limpele and Eng
\nHian," Tony said.<\/p>\n
"For me personally, the Indonesia Open will be a warm-up event
\nfor our participation at the World Grand Prix Finals in Brunei
\nDarussalam later this year," Candra said.<\/p>\n
Candra and Tony won last year's title after beating
\ncompatriots Flandy and Eng Hian.<\/p>\n
World number two Taufik Hidayat, who has been under the
\nspotlight due to his critics to PBSI, is also expected to retain
\nhis title and also create a hat trick.<\/p>\n
"PBSI really expect Taufik to compete at the event. He is one
\nof our assets needed to extend our domination of the event in the
\nfuture."<\/p>\n
Taufik won the 1999 event after ousting senior Budi Santoso
\nand the 2000 event after defeating Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia.
\n(yan)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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