'Badminton only sport that we are proud of'

'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