Athletes told to follow victors' path

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)