Badminton body pays disputed sponsorship money to players
JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia settled it dispute with the nation's top shuttlers yesterday when it handed over outstanding sponsorship money.
The association's executive director, Sumaryono, said that the US$197,000 (Rp 470 million) from a deal with Yonex, a Japanese sports equipment company, had been paid to players in Jakarta.
Those taking part in the Japan and Korean Open tournaments will receive their money when they return home later this month.
The problem was solved when Soerjadi told players that it had arisen because of an accounting error.
Soerjadi had promised to pay the money before Idul Fitri but managed to solve the problem this week.
Sumaryono denied rumors that the money came from James Riady, the Indonesian billionaire heir to the Lippo Group.
The Lippo Group is one of many firms which provides sponsorship to the association.
Sumaryono said the association is still negotiating the new contract with Yonex to fulfill all the players' needs.
According to association official Rudy Hartono, Yonex will pay US$1 million for the first and second years of the four-year contract.
"In the third year, the contract will be worth $1.3 million while in the last it will be $1.6 million," he said.
Rudy said that Yonex will penalize players who break the contract agreement after they have received a warning.
The penalty fees will be between $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the ranking of the player involved .
Asia Cup
The Asian Badminton Confederation's secretary-general, Punch Gunalan said earlier that Jakarta will host the first new-concept A King Asia Cup men's team championship next month.
"The competition is unique because it's a team event and each country is to be represented by two singles and one doubles," he said.
The $150,000 tournament is to take place at the Senayan Indoor tennis stadium from Feb. 19 to Feb. 23.
The event originated out of the confederation's desire to provide Asian countries with an Asian identity as the stronghold of world badminton.
China, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, China Taipei, Thailand, Hong Kong and host Indonesia will take part in the biennial event, which is expected to become as prestigious as the Thomas Cup championship. Each country is expected to send one team, consisting of five or six players and one official.
"The high prize money and the best players from each country taking part are vital factors to make the championship a success," Gunalan said.
The Asia Cup will be staged in odd numbered years while the Thomas and Uber Cups will be staged in even numbered years.
Gunalan said that the confederation is considering launching a similar women's event in the next two years.
Sumaryono said that Indonesia is to field its best shuttlers to win the first tournament.
The winning team will get $80,000, the runner up $40,000, the third placed team $20,000 and the fourth will take home $10,000.
The semifinal and finals are to be aired live by SCTV. (yan)