Thousands greet badminton Cups in grand parade<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of cheering badminton fans poured into
\nthe capital city as the Thomas and Uber Cups were paraded
\nyesterday morning - while an even larger number of enthusiasts
\nwere still sound asleep.<\/p>\n
The 30-kilometer motorcade parade around the capital, which
\nalso had Indonesia's victorious badminton teams on view, was the
\nclimax to the country's week-long celebration of its double
\nsuccess in the May 10-21 badminton championships.<\/p>\n
The party was over and the badminton heroes and heroines set
\ntheir sights on the titles they have never won, Asian Games gold
\nmedals. After a week off, the shuttlers will rejoin their
\ngrueling training camp.<\/p>\n
A convertible with reigning All England champion Hariyanto
\nArbi and the world number one doubles of Rudy Gunawan and Bambang
\nSupriyanto flanked the Thomas Cup trophy as they led the pack of
\neight jeeps from Senayan indoor stadium.<\/p>\n
Rising star Mia Audina and veteran doubles specialist Rosiana
\nTendean closely trailed with the Uber Cup in hands. The other
\nshuttlers and officials of the Badminton Association of Indonesia
\n(PBSI) were scattered in the remaining six cars.<\/p>\n
Some 3,000 cyclists formed a long row at the rear of the pack,
\nbut they disbanded when the motorcade took a break at the City
\nHall.<\/p>\n
The buoyant crowd chanted deafening cheers as the motorcade
\nentered the area around the National Monument, but they were kept
\nstanding on the sidewalks by the 20 police cruisers which closely
\nguarded the shuttlers along the way. The badminton enthusiasts
\nfound consolation as smiles always adorned Susi Susanti and her
\nteammates' sweating faces.<\/p>\n
Dance<\/p>\n
At City Hall, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja hosted a brief
\nmeeting with the victors. Five couples dressed up in Betawi
\ntraditional dress and performers dancing the celebratory Ondel-
\nondel dance welcomed the PBSI executive chairman Sumaryono-led
\nsquads as they stepped onto the podium at the hall.<\/p>\n
\"I and all Jakartans are very proud of you. We hope to see
\nother talents follow in your steps,\" Surjadi said as he
\ncongratulated the winning teams.<\/p>\n
Hariyanto spurred the Indonesian men's team to a 3-0 rout of
\ntitle holder Malaysia in a shortened final, the first unfinished
\nfinal battle since 1967. The victory also gave Indonesia its
\nninth title.<\/p>\n
In the women's Uber Cup final, Susi led a blend of veteran and
\nyouths to deny defending champion China of its sixth successive
\ntitle in a 3-2 nail biter. This was Indonesia's first Uber Cup
\nsince 1975.<\/p>\n
Indonesia complemented its Uber Cup '75 title with Thomas Cup
\nglory in 1976, becoming the first badminton playing country to
\nnotch a double in the same season. China surpassed Indonesia's
\nfeat with three doubles in 1986, 1988 and 1990.<\/p>\n
Both trophies will stay at PBSI's headquarter in Cipayung
\nuntil the national badminton body reaches a decision on whether
\nprocessions will be held at Java's three provinces.<\/p>\n
PBSI's chapters in West Java, Central Java and East Java have
\nasked for the same Thomas Cup and Uber Cup victory celebrations
\nas PBSI gave in the capital city. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousands-greet-badminton-cups-in-grand-parade-1447893297",
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