Shuttlers to help Banten flood victims<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): World-class national shuttlers hope to raise as
\nmuch as they can in a charity match and memorabilia auction
\ntitled Atlet Peduli (Athletes Care) at the Siliwangi stadium in
\nBandung on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The event organizers' chairman Sigit Budiarto and the 1997
\nmen's doubles world champion Candra Wijaya told a media
\nconference at Hard Rock Cafe on Wednesday that they did not have
\na specified targeted amount to be raised during the event, but
\nexpressed hoped that many visitors would buy the collectables.<\/p>\n
"We just want to raise as much as possible to be donated to
\nnatural disaster victims. For the first step, we'll hand the
\nfunds over to flood victims in the Banten area together with
\nRCTI," he said.<\/p>\n
Among the memorabilia to be on sale are the racket Candra used
\nwhen he won the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold, Ricky Subagdja's
\nracket when taking home the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold and Taufik
\nHidayat's racket when reaching the 2000 All England final.<\/p>\n
Candra said: "I hope people will honor my achievement in the
\nOlympics and want to spend their money to donate."<\/p>\n
The charity match will feature a men's singles match between
\nTaufik, twice All England finalist in 1999 and 2000, and Olympics
\nsilver medalist Hendrawan.<\/p>\n
Candra and Sigit will play the men's doubles and will ask
\nspectators to play against them. While Olympics silver medalists
\nTri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur will also play against
\nvisitors.<\/p>\n
"The doubles match is merely to give a chance to badminton
\nfans to join us on court. It won't be a real match but mostly
\nentertainment," Candra said.<\/p>\n
"We are still looking for sponsors to help us cover the
\nexpenses."<\/p>\n
The event is jointly sponsored by RCTI, Djarum cigarettes,
\nBarito Post, BOLA sports tabloid, South Kalimantan-based Bina
\nBenua Group and Yonex.<\/p>\n
Both Candra and Sigit said the idea came from the shuttlers to
\nhelp the victims as an expression of their gratitude to badminton
\nfans throughout the country who had supported them in
\ninternational events.<\/p>\n
"We realize that Indonesian people have always prayed for us
\nwhen we compete abroad, wishing us success. It is time for us to
\npay them back for their support," Sigit said.<\/p>\n
He hoped that shuttlers would be able to regularly stage
\nsimilar events in the future.<\/p>\n
"Hopefully, when we're off season, we'll have time to raise
\nfunds for the needy in the country."<\/p>\n
About 8,000 spectators are expected to flock the stadium.
\nTickets are Rp 20,000 (US$2.10). (yan)<\/p>",
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