National shuttlers arrive without great celebration<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): No fanfare or big crowd was present and less
\nthan 100 people appeared in the VIP Lounge of the Soekarno-Hatta
\nInternational Airport yesterday to cheer the arrival of new men's
\ndouble world champion Sigit Budiarto and Chandra Wijaya.<\/p>\n
The state minister for youth affairs and sports, Hayono Isman,
\nthe National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar,
\nBadminton Association of Indonesia chairman Soerjadi and former
\nworld champion Icuk Sugiarto, along with his charges from Pelita
\nBakrie club, were among those to welcome the players.<\/p>\n
A six-month partnership between Sigit\/Chandra overcame
\nMalaysia's Olympic silver medalists Cheah Soon Kit\/Yap Kim Hock
\n8-15, 18-17, 15-7 in a thrilling match.<\/p>\n
Their winning effort was a sweet victory for Indonesia after
\nits failures at the Sudirman Cup team championships and the World
\nChampionship.<\/p>\n
Indonesia only reached the semifinals at the Sudirman Cup and
\ntook four bronzes - Heriyanto Arbi in the men's singles,
\nEliza\/Zelin Resiana in the women's doubles, Tri
\nKusherjanto\/Minarti Timur in mixed doubles and Ricky Subagja\/Rexy
\nMainaky in the men's doubles - and one gold from Sigit\/Chandra,
\nin the World Championship.<\/p>\n
Sigit and Chandra did not speak at yesterday's ceremony.
\nChandra was still able to smile but Sigit looked nervous. Their
\nparents came to join the celebration.<\/p>\n
\"We're very proud with your hard work although we haven't
\nreached the maximum results. We used to have Susi Susanti, Joko
\nSuprianto and Ricky\/Rexy but this year is the time for
\nChandra\/Sigit to be the winner,\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
\"When we lose, there's always a meaning. This year's loss
\nmeans we will improve our badminton in the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi said changes would be made at the national badminton
\ncenter in Cipayung, East Jakarta, to improve Indonesian
\nbadminton.<\/p>\n
\"Before leaving the country, coaches had given their all to
\nthe shuttlers and all players had said they were ready for the
\nchampionship. But they were shocked with the results. It means
\nwe, the association's officials, have to find a way to improve
\ntheir training,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have to create a more motivational environment during the
\ntraining, improve coach's skills and get young athletes to
\ncompete more and achieve more at international events,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi urged the public not to lose hope and support for
\nIndonesia's shuttlers.<\/p>\n
\"Let's hope that badminton, which is still a favorite sport of
\nthe public, will not bring disappointment to its fans due to our
\nloss,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi refused to say how much in bonuses the shuttlers
\nwould receive.<\/p>\n
Sigit's mother Nanik Sriniati and father Sutoto said they were
\nproud of their son's victory.<\/p>\n
\"We were so tense during the match, especially in the second
\ngame. Thank God, Sigit and Chandra could finish it well and won,\"
\nNanik said.<\/p>\n
Chandra's mother Indranita said she was happy but also sad
\nbecause Chandra won the championship but his older brother Indra
\nWijaya lost to Denmark's Peter Rasmussen.<\/p>\n
\"However, I thank God for Chandra's win. I always told him
\nevery time he rang me from Glasgow that he could make it,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"His father and I could not stand the emotion. We often went
\nto the restrooms at critical points because we were so tense,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
\"Chandra and I will do our best to retain this title at the
\nnext championship in Copenhagen. With God's permission we can win
\nthe 2000 Olympics,\" Sigit said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-shuttlers-arrive-without-great-celebration-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}