Indonesia Open seeking more sponsors

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)