Government has to guarantee our future, athletes say

Government has to guarantee our future, athletes say

JAKARTA (JP): They stood on the stage carrying banners saying
they received millions of rupiah in cash bonuses Saturday evening
in a handing over ceremony at TVRI auditorium. The ceremony
itself was broadcast nationwide by TVRI, TPI and ANteve.

But as they stepped down from the stage, they still have one
big question in their minds. What will happen to our future?

Therefore Olympics gold medalist Tony Gunawan, voicing all the
athletes' hopes, expected the government to give a guarantee that
athletes would be looked after once their sporting careers were
over.

"We may be on top of the world today but who knows what will
happen in the future. That's why we need a kind of guarantee from
the government to support our future lives," said Tony, who
retained the Olympics gold medal tradition with partner Candra
Wijaya.

"Badminton is all I can do. I don't know yet what to do after
my golden age is over."

Tony also said that badminton offered a good chance to earn
money over the course of a year due to its tight competition
schedules all over the world.

"But what about our weightlifters? There aren't so many events
for them to compete in. They have to wait for a while," he said.

Tony and Candra shared a Rp 1 billion (US$117,700) bonus
provided by the company behind Extra Joss energy drink.

Indonesia's silver medalist weightlifter Lisa Rumbewas and
shuttler Hendrawan received Rp 300 million each while badminton
mixed doubles Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur shared Rp 400
million. Two bronze medalists, weighlifters Sri Indriyani and
Winarni, each pocketed Rp 150 million.

Badminton head coach Christian Hadinata received Rp 500
million representing seven other coaches while weightlifting
coaches got Rp 100 million each.

Tony's plight for better attention for athletes was also
shared by Minarti saying that it would be a good idea to provide
a scheme to support their lives after their golden era.

"It's already a common thing in other countries that athletes
are supported by their governments. It would be a good idea if
our government can also provide such a scheme," she told The
Jakarta Post.

"We athletes have little time to do or think about our future.
All we care about is to train hard and perform our best in many
events. I myself still have to think it over," added Minarti.

She gave the example of Rexy Mainaky who was thinking about
training in England considering his current condition.

The promised bonuses had little impact, if any, to the
athletes' motivation during the Olympics.

"Our main target was how to win the gold medal and not to get
the bonus. I have to admit, however, that it lifted our spirit
but it was not the main thing," said Minarti.

Tony gave an even sharper comment on the promised bonus.

"Candra and I didn't want to think about the bonus at all. All
we did was concentrate on our training and the games. Our utmost
goal was to defend the country through our skills," he told the
Post firmly. (nvn)