Athletes drain on the rise in Indonesia

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)