Indonesia Open offers higher prize money
JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the Sanyo Indonesia Open will increase prize money for the five-star tournament to US$170,000 to attract more world-class foreign players, particularly from China, to compete at the event in July.
General manager of PT Sanjaya Sakti, distributor of Sanyo, Nancy Felicia expressed hope that the effort could encourage many countries to compete in the July 25 to July 29 tournament at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
"As the main sponsor, we really expect many world-class shuttlers to compete at the annual event. One of the efforts to encourage them to come is by raising the prize money," she announced at a media conference on Thursday.
Last year's event offered $150,000.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary- general Leo Chandra Wiranata said that, besides increasing the prize money, PBSI would also hold a campaign during the Sudirman Cup and World Championships in Seville, Spain, from May 28 to June 10 to explore possible incentives to encourage more widespread participation at the tournament.
"We will ask China to send its best shuttlers to the tournament. We hope the increase in prize money and the campaign will enable them to come here. We'll also explain that the political situation here is not that bad."
China has missed the Indonesia Open since 1997. Visa problems presented the main obstacle but in 1998 and 1999 the country cited political tension and the lack of security as the main reasons for skipping the event. Last year, it only sent its second-layer players.
IMG Managing Director James White, the event organizers, said that the campaign would offer the world's top players from eight countries facilities such as two free hotel rooms including breakfast at the Jakarta Hilton International Hotel, transportation, entertainment and city tour programs.
However, Leo turned down the possibility of asking the International Badminton Federation (IBF) to take action over China's absence.
"There's no way we can ask the IBF to force China to compete at the Indonesia Open. What we can do is offer more substantial prize money. If they still don't want to come, there's nothing else we can do."
Meanwhile, defending champion Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan, who are now playing with different partners, declared their commitment to retain the men's doubles title.
"We are committed to retaining the men's doubles title and we don't care who will take the title. It could be myself and Halim Heryanto, Candra and Sigit Budiarto or Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian," Tony said.
"For me personally, the Indonesia Open will be a warm-up event for our participation at the World Grand Prix Finals in Brunei Darussalam later this year," Candra said.
Candra and Tony won last year's title after beating compatriots Flandy and Eng Hian.
World number two Taufik Hidayat, who has been under the spotlight due to his critics to PBSI, is also expected to retain his title and also create a hat trick.
"PBSI really expect Taufik to compete at the event. He is one of our assets needed to extend our domination of the event in the future."
Taufik won the 1999 event after ousting senior Budi Santoso and the 2000 event after defeating Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia. (yan)