Cash-strapped RI set to play Davis

JAKARTA (JP): Despite financial troubles plaguing its training program, the Indonesian Tennis Association plans to send a team to Lebanon for several Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I matches.

Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said yesterday he was determined to overcome financial hurdles to send the team since Indonesia's national pride was at stake.

"We will manage to raise some funds on our own," Sarwono said after signing a deal between the association and American sport equipment manufacturer Wilson, extending contract relations for another three-year term.

He did not elaborate how the association planned to raise the necessary funds.

Preparations for the matches, to be played from July 17 through July 19, will cost the association US$15,000, an amount it can hardly afford due to current economic conditions.

Sarwono said the association had asked the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to supply the Indonesian team with free accommodation during the outing, but that it had yet to hear from the international body.

"With or without their (ITF) help, we'll keep to our plan. Sending the team is our responsibility," he said.

Some player tryouts for the international team have been canceled due to a shortage of funds, said Sarwono, a former cabinet minister-turned government critic.

Indonesia's Davis Cup team will number five players. They will depart for Beirut on July 13.

Although the association has yet to announce the team's lineup, many believe veterans Bonit Wiryawan, Sulistyo Wibowo and Andrian Raturandang will be members, while junior players Febi Widhiyanto, Sebastian Dacosta and Surya Wijaya look to be potential candidates to round out the team.

National junior team coach Alfred Raturandang said all six players deserved places on the team because of their latest performances.

Alfred predicted Indonesia would not only have to brave its Lebanese opponents, but the Middle East's scorching heat as well.

Under the deal signed yesterday, Wilson agrees to provide tennis equipment worth Rp 500 million per year to 200 coaches.

Mohan Pothera of Wilson's Indonesia office said yesterday the company had suffered a 40 percent drop in total sales in the country due to the economic crisis. (emf)