Athletes told to follow victors' path

JAKARTA (JP): Training director for the 2000 Olympic Games Arie Sudewo urged athletes to follow their compatriots lead in winning the Thomas Cup on four consecutive occasions, and a total of 12 times, after defeating China 3-0 Sunday.

Arie will also ask athletes from 11 separate sports events to follow the shuttlers' road to victory.

"Their success story should give the other athletes a lot of inspiration. However, regarding the Uber Cup, we admit that our women's shuttlers are less qualified than the Chinese shuttlers. But we are proud of their achievements because we only assumed they would reach the semifinals," he said.

Arie stated that based on the Thomas Cup results, PBSI has successfully accomplished its Olympic Games training program as it had been outlined.

He added that 74 athletes and 36 officials would be registered in the entry form by number with the Sydney Olympic Games Organizing Committee by June 1 at the latest.

"The number of athletes we register will include those who have qualified, who are still competing in the pre-qualifying round and who are waiting for the wild cards," he said.

Arie also said that the Olympic athletes would receive new equipment as soon as possible.

"I will check it out and make sure the equipment is delivered immediately to allow for an adjustment period for the athletes," he said.

He added that almost all the equipment was imported.

"For example, we imported archery equipment from South Korea and weightlifting equipment from Japan."

Separately, two national divers who took part in Olympic training preparations, Shenny Ratna Amelia and Muhammad Nasrullah will leave for a week-long overseas stint in China and Hong Kong.

Shenny and Nasrullah will compete in the Grand Prix series in Xi-an city, China from May 28 to May 30 and in Hong Kong from June 2 to June 4, according to coach Harly Ramayani.

"It will be our last overseas tryout. After the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya later in June, Shenny and Nasrullah will likely train in Beijing for one and a half months prior to the Olympics," she said, adding that there was no special target in this event.

Shenny said: "Hopefully I can finish in the top five."

Last year, she managed to enter the top eight in Hong Kong but only finished 12th in the Chinese event.

Nasrullah expressed hopes of reaching the final, too.

Separately, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) executive director Karsono, said the body handed over Rp 860.5 million (US$101,250) to the Thomas and Uber Cups team members.

Each men's shuttlers received Rp 60 million and coaches got Rp 25 million each.

Women's shuttlers earned Rp 5 million and the coaches received Rp 2.5 million each.

Karsono said the bonus was a result of sponsorship from Japan- based sports equipment Yonex -- US$60,000. From PBSI they received Rp 380.5 million.

"But the money from Yonex can only be disbursed next month. PBSI had to pay for the bonus first because we wanted athletes to get their bonuses right away," he said. (ivy/yan)