C. Java trip

C. Java trip draws small fans

JAKARTA (JP): Central Java, the country's strongest badminton powerhouse province, paid sour tribute to the Thomas and Uber Cups when both coveted trophies made a 80-kilometer trip to three major towns on Saturday.

Joko Suprianto, Susi Susanti and their teammates were greeted by small numbers of fans when their motorcade arrived in Surakarta, Semarang and Kudus. The quiet response was in contrast to the previous victory celebrations in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta.

The triumphant shuttlers should have found consolation when Governor Soewardi welcomed them with a medals presentation. Only eight badminton players in the entourage, all from Central Java, including Ardy Wiranata, Hariyanto Arbi and Yuliani Sentosa, received medals from Soewardi.

The Badminton Association (PBSI) plans to move the victory celebration to Surabaya, East Java. Indonesian players will rejoin the national training camp before leaving for Asian outings in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh city. (amd)