Indonesia Open offers higher prize money

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)