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)