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)