Sat, 27 May 2000

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)