World champions home with a strong plea<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's badminton players who arrived on
\nTuesday at about 6.00 p.m. at Soekarno-Hatta International
\nAirport, called on the government to pay more attention to
\nathletes, especially after their retirement.<\/p>\n
Fresh from winning titles at the World Championships in
\nSeville, Spain, on Sunday, men's singles player Hendrawan and
\nmen's doubles specialist Tony Gunawan said the government should
\nprovide pension to athletes who had won major titles.<\/p>\n
\"I really hope that with my victory the government would pay
\nmore attention on retired athletes who had won international
\ntitles.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not talking about big money as I realize the country's
\ncondition. But pension after our retirement will mean a lot to
\nus. It is also to secure our future.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes I feel jealous of other countries like China and
\nSouth Korea, whose champions receive a pension,\" said Hendrawan,
\nwho defeated Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark to become the
\nworld champion.<\/p>\n
Hendrawan became the fifth Indonesian to win the title after
\nRudy Hartono in 1980, Icuk Sugiarto in 1983, Joko Suprianto in
\n1993 and Hariyanto Arbi in 1995.<\/p>\n
Tony, who with Halim Heryanto, maintained Indonesia's
\ndomination in the men's doubles, echoed Hendrawan's opinion.<\/p>\n
\"I agree with Hendrawan. We only have the skills of playing
\nbadminton. There's nothing else we can do because we don't have
\nformal education. Therefore, we really expect the government to
\nprovide pension for us. It's for our future.\"<\/p>\n
The two titles were a nice present for the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo who
\ncelebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday. Subagyo will end his
\ntenure in the national plenary congress scheduled in October.<\/p>\n
\"I really thank the players for winning the titles as they are
\nthe most beautiful birthday present. I give credit to all
\nshuttlers and coaches for their team work to enable us to reach
\nthe Sudirman Cup final although we had to bow out to China.<\/p>\n
\"We hope with our victory in the men's division, we will also
\nbe able to retain the Thomas Cup next year.<\/p>\n
Subagyo said the failure in the Sudirman Cup final showed the
\nwomen's shuttlers had to work harder.<\/p>\n
\"With Verawati Fadjrin as coach, our women's shuttlers have
\nshown improvement in their technical skills and discipline. But
\nwe must work harder to catch up with the other countries,
\nespecially China.\"<\/p>\n
The players were welcomed at the airport by the National
\nSports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, the Ministry
\nof National Education's director general of sports Toho Cholik,
\nformer shuttler Ferry Sonneville and other KONI and PBSI
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
Head coach and the Indonesian Badminton Center training
\ndirector Christian Hadinata said he would evaluate the results of
\nthe championships to ensure the country retained the Thomas Cup
\nnext year.<\/p>\n
\"I can't set the target now, but we'll work hard to retain the
\nThomas Cup. As for Tony and Halim, I will retain their
\npartnership for now as they have performed very well.\"<\/p>\n
Halim said the victory had boosted his motivation to do better
\nin the future.<\/p>\n
\"I have proven that I can win in a major event with Tony. I
\nhope we can win in every event we compete.<\/p>\n
The squad went directly to Subagyo's residence in Cikeas, East
\nJakarta, to celebrate his birthday. The team was also welcomed by
\nthe Jakarta Morris Club and off-road clubs who followed the team
\nfrom the airport to Cikeas. (yan)<\/p>",
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