Badminton, tennis bodies stage Olympics events

JAKARTA (JP): A series of events will be held by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) and the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) to draw public support for their athletes who will perform in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Spokesman for the National Sports Council (KONI) Ahmed Solihin said on Wednesday that PBSI would stage a one-day simulation at Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium on Sept. 1, starting at 5 p.m.

Nineteen shuttlers, who will fly to Sydney for the Sept. 15 to Oct. 1 quadrennial event, are expected to take part in the simulation.

"We invite members of House of Representatives Commission VI for human resources and religious affairs, other sports organizations and sponsors to watch this event.

"We hope some 10,000 spectators will come to the stadium. We will announce later whether the event will be free of charge or not," Ahmed said.

The Indonesian athletes who have qualified for the Games are Taufik Hidayat, Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Flandy Limpele, Eng Hian, Ricky Soebagdja, Rexy Mainaky, Tony Gunawan, Candra Wijaya, Tri Kusharjanto, Bambang Supriyanto, Lydia Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Angelinawaty, Elysa Nathanael, Etty Tantri, Cynthia Tuwankotta, Minarti Timur, Deyana Lomban and Zelin Resiana.

On Sept. 10, Pelti will hold a parade to send off its women's players, Yayuk Basuki and Wynne Prakusya.

Ahmed said 100 young tennis players would accompany Yayuk and Wynne in a parade which would kick off at the stadium and end at the Senayan tennis court. The parade will be held early, at 6.30 a.m.

Yayuk and Wynne will leave Jakarta later in the evening.

"KONI supports PBSI's and Pelti's activities because we want to help them to bring the athletes closer to the public," he said.

Wynne earned a wild card in the singles event in the Olympics. She was granted another wild card in the doubles event, where she will partner seasoned player Yayuk.

KONI will send 48 athletes, 23 coaches and 19 officials to Sydney. They will leave Jakarta in three groups, on Sept. 1, Sept. 5 and Sept. 10.

Ahmed also announced that President Abdurrahman Wahid would likely receive the Indonesian contingent at Merdeka Palace on Aug. 28 to give his blessing. But he said the time had yet to be decided.

"The Indonesian contingent also received an invitation from the Australian ambassador in Jakarta. We will meet him after we meet Gus Dur," he said, referring to the President's nickname. (ivy)