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)