Big names set for Indonesian Open
Big names set for Indonesian Open
JAKARTA (JP): Players from Denmark, Sweden, England, Wales and
the Netherlands are confirmed to compete in the Indonesia Open
badminton tournament at Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium in July.
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary-general
Leo Chandra Wiranata said on Friday the five countries confirmed
their participation during the Thomas and Uber cups in Kuala
Lumpur last week.
"We hope 15 countries will participate in the tournament after
a three-year absence of big names. We hope China and South Korea
can also send their players here. The organizers will provide two
free hotel rooms for China, Korea and Denmark. That's the best we
can do for them." He said the official hotel was Hotel Atlet
Century Park in Senayan.
China and Korea have been absent from the Indonesia Open for
three consecutive years due to security concerns.
The five-star tournament, with main sponsor Sanyo electronic
company, will be held from July 19 to July 23.
Leo also announced the Thomas and Uber cup teams would be
featured in promotions for watches and sunglasses in deals worth
$20,000 each.
The team members will be photographed wearing both products.
PBSI will receive half of the sponsorship money.
The Indonesian men's team retained the Thomas Cup, the sport's
most prestigious team event, for the 12th time.
The association will also benefit from a Rp 250 million
(US$29,550) sponsorship by a electronic company for one of the
team members. The player, who has yet to be named, is expected to
receive Rp 100 million.
"This kind of sponsorship is quite new for PBSI, especially
when one player is appointed to represent a product. PBSI will
give turns to all of them should there will be other sponsors. We
don't want players to be jealous of each other," Leo said.
He also said the contract would not infringe on its main
sponsorship with Yonex for sports clothing and equipment. The
agreement stipulates that joint sponsors have to provide at least
$300,000 a year. It applies to a maximum of three sponsors. (yan)