Candra, Tony call on PBSI to allow individual patrons

Candra, Tony call on PBSI to allow individual patrons

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world number one men's doubles
players Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan called on the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Tuesday to allow players to have
individual sponsorship deals.

Candra and Tony -- who saved Indonesia's reputation by
claiming the sole gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics -- also
questioned the association's policy for the players contract with
Japan-based sports equipment company Yonex.

"We are only asking for our rights. We have trained and worked
really hard for this but the rewards are not worth our efforts,"
Candra said.

"All the players want individual sponsorships but we still
have no idea about the system."

"We have spoken to other players and they approve the idea.
But we will talk to them next week to discuss it further," Tony
added.

Candra said Yonex's collective sponsorship of PBSI made the
chances slim for player's to get co-sponsorships as business
people had to make an annual contract of US$300,000.

"It's really difficult for the business world to give a
contract deal worth $300,000. For me, it's a monopoly which
closes the door on other products to sponsor us."

"Yonex is now monopolizing the deal with PBSI. They don't have
any competitors. PBSI should have been able to seek more
sponsors," Tony said.

"We are not demanding PBSI give us rewards. All we want is the
association to give us a little respect by seeking better
sponsorship deals for the sake of the players," Candra replied.

"It is very bad that players with high international
achievements like us receive less than our compatriots playing in
other countries."

Candra was referring to his older brother Indra Wijaya, who is
now playing for Singapore.

Tony said by having individual sponsorships, players would
automatically compete to be the best.

"We all will fight really hard to stay on top as it also means
big money for us. That's the positive side of individual
sponsorships. It will also boost the motivation of our juniors to
follow in our footsteps as they see us work really hard and get
proper rewards in return."

PBSI had renewed its four-year contract with Yonex of $1
million per year. Fifty percent of the contract goes to the
players while another half goes to the association. However,
players still have no idea on how the money is apportioned among
them.

"During the period as the world's number one, we don't get a
similar amount in every quarter. It depends on how many
Indonesian players reach the top four. We don't know the
criteria," Tony said.

Both Candra and Tony expressed their objection to the PBSI
policy to cut 50 percent of their sponsorship contract.

"It's really hard for us. We want the system to be changed.
They should have compared their system with other countries. We
don't get any pension money after the peak of our career is over.
We must think about our future for ourselves," Candra said.

Candra and Tony received a house each from real estate tycoon
Ciputra -- chairman of the Jaya Raya club -- in a modest ceremony
at Ciputra Hotel.

Ciputra expressed his hope that members of Jaya Raya would be
able to follow Candra and Tony's path by winning the gold for
Indonesia.

"The next question will be; can Jaya Raya produce Olympic
champions in 2004? You all have to answer that by training hard
and playing well in tournaments. We can only support you by
providing everything you need," Ciputra told players and coaches.

"In another four years, the competition will be tougher and
the challenges heavier. You must have the faith and will
supported by hard work."

Jaya Raya had produced 1992 Olympic gold medalists Susy
Susanti in the women's singles and Alan Budikusuma in the men's
singles; 1996 Olympics silver medalist Mia Audina and bronze
medalist Susy in the women's singles; and 2000 Olympics gold
medalists Candra and Tony. (yan)