Ballboys protest at tourney over their unpaid allowances

JAKARTA (JP): Protests overshadowed the second day of the Indonesia Women's Circuit C4 on Tuesday when several ballboys and umpires demanded their allowances from tournaments last week.

A source from the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) acknowledged Pelti had yet to provide the allowances for the ballboys and umpires from last week's Indonesia Men's Future F6 and Indonesia Women's Circuit C3 at the Danamon tennis complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

The amount owed was reportedly Rp 20 million (US$2,532).

"This is the most embarrassing moment during my service in Pelti because it's the first time Pelti has failed to pay their allowances. I don't understand why Pelti's treasurers (Qoyum A. Tjandranegara and Tien Indradjit) have not dropped off the money," said the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"Usually the allowances are distributed to the officials after the tournament concludes."

The Rp 20 million is to pay 16 umpires, 25 linesmen and 20 ballboys for the tournaments held simultaneously over one week.

Away from the protests, only one local player qualified for the US$10,000 circuit's main draw which will start on Wednesday.

Mimma Chernovita defeated Saemi Lim of South Korea 6-3, 7-5 to claim a spot.

Three other singles -- Irawati Moerid Iskandar, Suci Bungaran and Dewi Monica Siregar -- crashed in the final round of qualifying.

Veteran Irawati, who reached last week's quarterfinals, was forced to bow out to Montika Anuchan of Thailand 2-6, 1-6. Suci was eliminated by Michelle Grobby of Australia 4-6, 2-6 and Dewi was beaten by Croatian Antonia Matic 6-4, 2-6, 2-6.

Pelti's deputy secretary-general Benny Mailili said the Asian Tennis Championships, which was scheduled to take place in Chinese Taipei beginning on Nov. 29, was canceled due to the devastating earthquake which hit the country three weeks ago.

The Chinese Taipei Tennis Association's secretary-general, Samuel Mu, informed Pelti of the cancellation by letter.

Benny said the championships was intended to serve as a qualifying tournament for the Olympics. However, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) eventually decided not to include the championships as part of qualifying for Sydney.

The ITF said world ranked players and recipients of wild cards would receive automatic spots for the Olympics.

Pelti had yet to prepare its players to compete in the championships. (yan)