More praise and money for star shuttlers in Bandung

More praise and money for star shuttlers in Bandung

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian badminton stars received hot
reception from hundreds thousands of people in Bandung, West Java
on their trip there on Saturday.

The jovial Thomas Cup and Uber Cup victory celebration peaked
in a dinner with West Java Governor Nuriana, who presented Rp 250
million (US$108.700) extra cash bonuses to the badminton heroes
and heroines.

"It's a token of affection from all West Javanese people who
are proud of what you have done," Nuriana told the badminton
players.

Indonesia retained both the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup trophies,
the symbols of world badminton team's supremacy, in Hong Kong a
few weeks ago.

Nuriana said that the national shuttlers' double victories
would inspire West Javanese athletes to do their best during the
National Games here this September. West Java finished second
behind Jakarta in the last Games in 1994.

Badminton queen Susi Susanti, men's doubles specialist Ricky
Subagja and team manager Lutfi Hamid are the only West Javanese
in the winning side. But there was no provincial sentiment
appearing during the grand parade across the city, with the crowd
cheering on all of the badminton idols.

The shuttlers and their coaches received between Rp 40 million
and Rp 65 million each during a gathering hosted by Soerjadi,
chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, last
Thursday.

Soerjadi said that Jakarta people and a number of businessmen
had raised Rp 1.5 billion to provide the cash bonuses.

"We will also tap some of the funds collected by badminton
fans for our development program," Soerjadi said.

The shuttlers will resume their training program for the
Atlanta Olympic Games at their base-camp in Cipayung, East
Jakarta today. Indonesia will field 20 male and female shuttlers
who will compete in five categories in Atlanta next month. They
have set their sight on winning two Olympic golds. (amd)