'Badminton only sport that we are proud of'

The Thomas and Uber Cup badminton team championships kicked off in Jakarta on Friday and will run until May 16. The Badminton Association of Indonesia is hoping the event will be a success and that Indonesia will be able to retain the Thomas Cup. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about Indonesia's chances in the event and the public's response to the championships.

Ardy Purnawansani, 22, is chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front. He lives in Bendungan Hilir subdistrict, Central Jakarta:

I like badminton, but I am not enthusiastic about watching Indonesian players at the Thomas and Uber Cups. I guess it's due to their steadily worsening performances.

Today's shuttlers are below the level of former champions like Susi (Susanti) and Alan (Budikusuma), who both won Olympics gold medals.

I am very concerned with the situation as badminton is the only sport that can bring pride to Indonesia. Perhaps it's because our shuttlers are facing tougher competitors. Many countries now have good badminton players.

I just hope that our shuttlers can excel in the future.

Rahmat, 31, is a reporter with Ramaco radio in Harmoni, Central Jakarta. He lives in Tugu Utara, North Jakarta, with his wife:

I want to comment on the poor promotion of this big tournament. I'm very concerned by the conflict of interest among private television stations in covering the event. Only one private TV station (which paid broadcast rights to the International Badminton Federation) consistently and continuously broadcast the matches.

A lack of promotion has discouraged people from paying much attention to such an important event, regardless of our record, particularly in the Thomas Cup.

Other people prefer to watch entertainment programs like Indonesian Idol or Akademi Fantasi Indosiar rather than sports events.

-- The Jakarta Post