Pelti's policy upsetting players<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti)'s
\nrefusal to register Benny Wijaya and Suwandi, the country's top
\ntwo men's tennis players, for the Indonesia Challenger Tennis
\nTournament has caused disappointment among local tennis circles.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's former number one player, Tintus A. Wibowo, said
\nhe was \"deeply disappointed\" at learning of the refusal. Given
\nthat the tournament is to be held here, it would be quite odd if
\nPelti, instead of helping register them, forced them to register
\nthemselves, Tintus said.<\/p>\n
Both Benny and Suwandi have departed for Hiroshima to take
\npart in the Asian Games. At the Davis Cup World Group qualifier
\nwhich ended at Senayan last Sunday, Indonesia, represented by
\nBenny and Suwandi, fell 4-1 to Switzerland which fielded its
\nnumber two Jakob Hlasek and Barcelona Olympic gold medalist, Marc
\nRosset.<\/p>\n
The Challenger tournament will be held at the Jakarta Hilton
\nfrom Oct. 17 to 25, immediately after the conclusion of the Asian
\nGames.<\/p>\n
The tournament offers cash prizes of US$50,000 to $75,000.<\/p>\n
The owner of the Super Nugra tennis club, Martina Wijaya, also
\nexpressed deep regret. \"As a tennis fan and given that I myself
\nam a tennis player, I am very disappointed and even hurt at
\nPelti's reply,\" Martina was quoted as saying by Suara Pembaruan
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Martina, herself a top official of the Jakarta chapter of
\nPelti, questioned whether the national association really cares
\nto help Indonesian players improve. Martina strongly hoped that
\nin the upcoming Pelti congress in December, Pelti's members would
\nelect executive directors who \"were not selfish, but who really
\ncare for the country's tennis development\".<\/p>\n
Furor<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Pelti's secretary general, Eddy Katimansyah, when
\nasked to comment, told The Jakarta Post yesterday he was also
\nsurprised to learn about the furor. Eddy said Pelti would have
\ncertainly been glad to register them if they had been asked to.<\/p>\n
Eddy said he did not know for sure whether Benny and Suwandi
\nhad asked Pelti to register for them. \"It might just be a lack of
\ncommunication,\" Eddy said, adding that if Benny and Suwandi had
\nforgotten to ask Pelti, then their coaches should at least have
\nreminded Pelti to register for them.<\/p>\n
Actually, there are no rules which oblige Pelti to register
\nfor them, Eddy said. And, since this tournament is for
\nprofessionals, if they want to be considered as professional
\nplayers, they should register for themselves, he added.<\/p>\n
According to Eddy, the deadline for registration is now over.
\nThe International Tennis Federation should have received their
\nregistration yesterday by 7 a.m., he added. (arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peltis-policy-upsetting-players-1447893297",
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