Indonesia Open seeking more sponsors
JAKARTA (JP): With barely one and a half months left until it kicks off, organizers of the Indonesia Open badminton championships are lacking US$100,000 to provide the tournament's prize money.
Badminton Association of Indonesia secretary-general Leo Wiranata said on Monday the organizers had so far received $20,000 from Japan-based electronics equipment company Sanyo, the event's main sponsor.
"They (Sanyo) committed only to provide that amount," Leo said.
The event is scheduled to be held at the Senayan indoor stadium from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
The annual tournament is jointly organized by the badminton association and the International Management Group (IMG), which also serves as the event's promoter.
IMG Operations Manager Maya Hidajat said on Monday that Sanyo was the only company to have signed a sponsorship deal with the organizers so far.
She said IMG was still looking for other sponsors.
"It's really hard to get sponsors at this moment, but the show must go on. If necessary, the IMG will cover the deficit," she said.
The organizers reduced the prize money from $175,000 due to prolonged economic turmoil, moved the tournament from Manado, North Sulawesi, and adjourned it for more than two months for security reasons. The smaller cash prizes automatically drop the event's rating from five stars to four.
Leo dismissed the possibility that the prospect of further student demonstrations would disrupt the tournament. The venue of the event lies near the House of Representatives, where students have often staged rallies.
"By staging the tournament, we want to prove to other participating countries that Jakarta is safe," Leo said.
The association has invited 30 members of the International Badminton Federation to compete here, but has yet to receive any responses. The deadline for registration is Sept. 25.
Indonesia produced a clean sweep in last year's event in Surakarta, Central Java, thanks to the absence of Chinese players who failed to attend due to experiencing visa problems. (yan)