Denmark to field stars in Indonesia Open
Denmark to field stars in Indonesia Open
JAKARTA (JP): Denmark will be at full strength in the
US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open badminton championships, still
awaiting the bulk of foreign entries even though its deadline
falls on Saturday.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia's secretary-general,
Leo Wiranata, told reporters on Wednesday that Olympic gold
medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, world number one Peter Gade
Christensen and world champion Peter Rasmussen would lead the 14-
strong men's team in the annual event.
Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen, Thomas Sogaard, Kenneth Jonassen,
Peter Janum, Jon Holst-Christensen, Jens Eriksen, Jesper Larsen,
Jim Laugesen, Janek Roos, Thomas Stavngaard and Michael Sogaard
will also compete.
World women's singles number three Camilla Martin tops the
Danish women's team roster which also includes Mette Pedersen,
Mette Sorensen, Helene Kirkegard, Rikke Olsen, Pernille Harder,
Ann Jorgensen, Marlene Thomsen and Majken Vange.
Denmark is the second foreign squad to confirm its
participation in the event after Nigeria.
The tournament will be held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 at the
Senayan indoor stadium. The organizers moved back the event on
the calendar by three months due to security concerns and
financial constraints.
Leo said the organizers were still waiting for responses from
Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden.
"I'm sure that the Netherlands and Sweden will come," Leo
said.
He said Japan appeared diffident about competing due to late
payment of a medical bill incurred by an Indonesian team member
in Tokyo.
"One of our coaches received medical treatment at the Japan
Open early this year. The bill cost us about Rp 26 million
(around US$2,100)."
Leo said the badminton association paid the bill on Tuesday
and had faxed the transfer invoice to the Japanese.
The prolonged economic crisis in Asia for the past year forced
the organizers to cut the tournament's prize money from last
year's purse of $200,000.
First-timer Sanyo is the only company to agree to sponsor the
event.
Leo said a sports equipment company had applied to cosponsor
the tournament but the organizers would have to speak to the
official equipment sponsor, Yonex.
Leo said all participants would be accommodated at the Hotel
Indonesia because "it's the cheapest offer we can get".
The rate at the hotel is Rp 192,000 per athlete per night for
a three-person room, Rp 216,000 per athlete per night for a
double room and Rp 306,000 per athlete per night for a single
room. The charge is inclusive of three meals a day and applicable
taxes.
"Other hotels are really expensive," Leo complained.
Hotel Atlet Century Park is offering a rate of Rp 300,000 net
per night, inclusive of American breakfast. The Hotel Mulia
Senayan offers $45 net per room per night, including three meals
a day. Both hotels have been earmarked to host athletes as they
are situated in the Senayan sports complex.
Hotel Indonesia is located downtown in the Central Jakarta
area. (yan)
JAKARTA (JP): Denmark will be at full strength in the
US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open badminton championships, still
awaiting the bulk of foreign entries even though its deadline
falls on Saturday.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia's secretary-general,
Leo Wiranata, told reporters on Wednesday that Olympic gold
medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, world number one Peter Gade
Christensen and world champion Peter Rasmussen would lead the 14-
strong men's team in the annual event.
Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen, Thomas Sogaard, Kenneth Jonassen,
Peter Janum, Jon Holst-Christensen, Jens Eriksen, Jesper Larsen,
Jim Laugesen, Janek Roos, Thomas Stavngaard and Michael Sogaard
will also compete.
World women's singles number three Camilla Martin tops the
Danish women's team roster which also includes Mette Pedersen,
Mette Sorensen, Helene Kirkegard, Rikke Olsen, Pernille Harder,
Ann Jorgensen, Marlene Thomsen and Majken Vange.
Denmark is the second foreign squad to confirm its
participation in the event after Nigeria.
The tournament will be held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 at the
Senayan indoor stadium. The organizers moved back the event on
the calendar by three months due to security concerns and
financial constraints.
Leo said the organizers were still waiting for responses from
Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden.
"I'm sure that the Netherlands and Sweden will come," Leo
said.
He said Japan appeared diffident about competing due to late
payment of a medical bill incurred by an Indonesian team member
in Tokyo.
"One of our coaches received medical treatment at the Japan
Open early this year. The bill cost us about Rp 26 million
(around US$2,100)."
Leo said the badminton association paid the bill on Tuesday
and had faxed the transfer invoice to the Japanese.
The prolonged economic crisis in Asia for the past year forced
the organizers to cut the tournament's prize money from last
year's purse of $200,000.
First-timer Sanyo is the only company to agree to sponsor the
event.
Leo said a sports equipment company had applied to cosponsor
the tournament but the organizers would have to speak to the
official equipment sponsor, Yonex.
Leo said all participants would be accommodated at the Hotel
Indonesia because "it's the cheapest offer we can get".
The rate at the hotel is Rp 192,000 per athlete per night for
a three-person room, Rp 216,000 per athlete per night for a
double room and Rp 306,000 per athlete per night for a single
room. The charge is inclusive of three meals a day and applicable
taxes.
"Other hotels are really expensive," Leo complained.
Hotel Atlet Century Park is offering a rate of Rp 300,000 net
per night, inclusive of American breakfast. The Hotel Mulia
Senayan offers $45 net per room per night, including three meals
a day. Both hotels have been earmarked to host athletes as they
are situated in the Senayan sports complex.
Hotel Indonesia is located downtown in the Central Jakarta
area. (yan)