RI has a good chance of winning Olympic golds<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's success in winning two titles in two
\nfive-star Grand Prix series tennis tournaments has increased the
\ncountry's optimism of bringing home gold medals from the Olympic
\nGames in Sydney next month.<\/p>\n
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo
\nHadisiswoyo said on the sidelines of a scholarship handing over
\nceremony at Trisakti University that Taufik Hidayat, who won both
\nthe Indonesia and Malaysia Open crowns, had a considerable chance
\nof winning the gold medal without pushing aside seniors Hendrawan
\nand Marlev Mainaky.<\/p>\n
\"With his victory in two consecutive tournaments, we are
\noptimistic that he, and his seniors, has a chance to win gold.
\nThe success in the Thomas Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur in
\nMay is also an indication of our chances,\" he said on Monday.<\/p>\n
In the Indonesia Open, Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan won the
\ntitle while runners up Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian managed to win
\nthe Malaysia Open title.<\/p>\n
\"Our chances in the men's doubles are also good. We all know
\nthat the event has become our strength for some time since the
\nearly 1990s,\" Subagyo said.<\/p>\n
But Subagyo was pessimistic about Indonesia's chances in the
\nmixed doubles as Indonesia's number one duo of Tri Kusharyanto
\nand Minarti Timur failed to win the title, bowing out to Kim
\nDong-moon and Ra Kyung-min of South Korea in the Malaysia Open
\nfinal. They also lost in the Indonesia Open semifinals to
\neventual winners Joanne Goode and Simon Archer of England.<\/p>\n
PBSI training director Christian Hadinata said that Taufik had
\nshown great promise since the Thomas Cup.<\/p>\n
\"About two years ago, he trailed behind the top players. Now
\nhe'll be the number one in the newest IBF ranking list and he's
\nthe trailed. He must be prepared for the situation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the secretary-general of the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI), Rudolf S. Warouw, said the council would
\nrecommend to the Australian Embassy and to the finance ministry
\nthat visa application be made easier and exit taxed be waived for
\n70 supporters to the Sept. 15 to Oct. 1 Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"Supporters won't get ID cards from the organizers. Besides,
\nthey must pay for their own transportation and accommodation.
\nThey also have to buy tickets to enter a venue,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Warouw said that among those included on the list were 22
\npeople recommended by the Indonesian Taekwondo Association and
\neight people by the Indonesian Wrestling Association.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian contingent -- comprising 48 athletes, 23
\ncoaches and 19 officials -- is expected to receive support from
\nIndonesian citizens in Australia.<\/p>\n
\"I met some Indonesians last year and they agreed to help us
\nduring our stay in Australia. I have also met with the Consulate
\nGeneral officials and they'll help us verify the name of
\nIndonesian visitors as stated in the passports,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Warouw said besides the formal members of the contingent, the
\nSydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) also
\napproved the guest transferable (GT) status for nine
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
Recipients of guest transferable cards are Subagyo, Indonesian
\nArchery Association chairman Hayono Isman, weightlifting training
\ndirector Djoko Pramono, House of Representatives Commission VI on
\nhuman resources and religion affairs chairman Ma'ruf Amin and
\ndeputy chairman Paturungi Parawansa, McDonald's Indonesia
\npresident Bambang Rachmadi, Gelora Senayan financial deputy
\nexecutive director M. Sarengat and KONI vice chairmen Indra Djati
\nSidi and Harsuki.<\/p>\n
Warouw said KONI would also send 10 officials, including six
\nassistants, to the Olympics, including training director Arie
\nSudewo and four unidentified people who were not granted ID cards
\nby organizers, apart from the official contingent. (ivy\/yan)<\/p>",
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