IMG has no contact with PT HM Sampoerna

JAKARTA (JP): The organizer of the Thomas and Uber Cups' final has denied that local cigarette maker has signed a contract to sponsor the events.

Mark Adams, director of the International Management Group (IMG), the organizer of the Thomas and Uber Cups' final, said Thursday that IMG had never signed an agreement with PT HM Sampoerna, Surabaya-based tobacco company, as the main sponsor for the prestigious badminton final.

Sampoerna has no relationship whatsoever with the activities of the Thomas and Uber Cups' final round, Antara quoted Adams as saying.

Adams further said IMG was still looking for sponsors for the Thomas and Uber Cups.

He said one company had withdrawn its sponsorship, but he declined to name the company.

According to Adams, sponsorship of the two events was subject to authorization from the International Badminton Federation (IBF).

He said IBF also had the authority to decide whether the Thomas and Uber Cups were held.

Only IBF can decide on the holding of the men's and women's badminton teams final which is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in May this year, Adams said.

Referring to sponsorship, Adams said IMG would sound out several Hong Kong and Chinese companies about sponsoring the badminton final.

In 1994, the Thomas and Uber Cups were also held in Hong Kong and Sampoerna sponsored them through one of its products, A King.

Jatmiko Wardoyo, spokesman of Indo Ad, a local advertising company, said on behalf of Surya Handoko of Sampoerna, that it was true Sampoerna had not signed a contract with IMG to become the main sponsor of the badminton events.

Jatmiko expressed fear that the Thomas and Uber Cups' final would be canceled if no sponsor was found. "A budget of US$1 million (Rp 9 billion) is required to hold the event."

IBF vice chairman, Justian Suhandinata, said Wednesday he hoped sponsors would not withdraw from the Thomas and Uber Cups.

"I hope none of the sponsors, who have signed contracts, break their agreements but instead find a way to overcome their budgetary problems," Justian said.

Justian was referring to private TV station RCTI, Sampoerna and IMG.

Justian added that if the three companies made part payments, IBF would make up the shortfall in promised financial support.

IBF is still confident the event will take place as planned.

Separately, the Badminton Association of Indonesia executive director, Karsono, told reporters yesterday the association would still groom its 22 athletes for the Thomas and Uber Cups.

"But we have to wait for the IBF decision next week on when the championships will take place. If they have to be delayed, then the association's athletes development deputy and the Badminton Training Center director will have to change the athletes' programs to enable them reach their peaks at the event," he said. (yan/lnt)