Athletes drain on the rise in Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian badminton officials have been told to pay attention to the current trend of athletes migrating to other countries and carefully consider both the negative and positive aspects of the trend.

"Countries like Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Chinese Taipei are interested in recruiting Indonesian shuttlers," said Ciputra, patron of Jaya Raya badminton club, on Friday.

"It is good news as we can export qualified and skilled human resources when it's difficult to find a job here. It's also an opportunity to promote the sport in other countries," he added, while saying it gave coaches an opportunity to work abroad with foreign clubs.

"On the other hand," said Ciputra, "we will have a shortage of players and some of our teammates will become our opponents.

"We have to consider it wisely whether athletes migrating will have a good or bad effect," he added.

Indonesian Mia Audina was naturalized after staying for eight months in the Netherlands, where she moved with her Dutch-citizen husband. Fung Permadi moved to Taipei more than five years ago after failing to outperform national shuttlers. He has kept his nationality.

Ciputra, a construction tycoon, was speaking during a farewell ceremony for the club's Olympic qualifiers at Gedung Jaya build ing on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Shuttlers attending the ceremony were men's doubles Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan, mixed doubles Bambang Supriyanto, wom en's singles Lidya Djaelawidjaja and women's doubles Deyana Lomban.

They were escorted by coaches Imelda Wigoeno, Retno Kustiyah and Minarni.

Ciputra told the shuttlers to do their best in the Olympics and promised Jaya Raya's standard bonus for medalists.

"You have to be cool-headed and boost your confidence during the Olympics. And don't forget to pray," he said.

The players said they were prepared to compete in the tough competition in the quadrennial event and were ready to face any heckling from spectators.

"Our diplomatic ties with Australia have been strained recent ly due to the East Timor case. Some spectators may turn violent toward us," said Bambang.

"But I don't think there will be any real threat from the spectators," he added.

The contingent, however, does not plan to any chances of Indonesian athletes being threatened.

"We are not putting the word 'Indonesia' on the back of our track suits. There will be only a small INA on the chest," said Imelda. (nvn)