Pelti sending Angie to French Open tennis

Pelti sending Angie to French Open tennis

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti)
promised to provide airfare to Angelique Widjaja who will compete
in the junior French Open tournament next week.

Pelti secretary general Soegeng Sarjadi said Friday in a
telephone interview that Pelti would have a further meeting to
discuss solving the financial problems of Angie, Angelique's
nickname, Saturday morning at around 10.00 a.m.

"Pelti will definitely help Angie, we still have time to do
that," he said.

Angie qualifies for the junior singles main draw of the French
Open thanks to her ITF junior ranking of 38.

Some Indonesian players -- including Yayuk Basuki, Wynne
Prakusya, Romana Tedjakusuma -- have competed in the one of four
Grand Slam series.

Pelti spokesman Benny Mailili told reporters that Angie
desperately needed the airfare to compete in the event at the
Roland Garros from June 4 to June 11.

"I spoke to Angie's coach Deddy Tedjamukti, asking him if he
already received the ticket from Pelti. I was surprised when
Deddy said he got nothing from Pelti. Angie must get the ticket
soon as she will have to leave on May 31. We only have several
days to get the sponsorships."

Benny said the French Open organizers have confirmed that they
will provide Angie with 2,000 Francs (US$273).

"Pelti official in charge of athletes development, Sudjiono
Timan, has personally helped Angie, giving her 2,000 Francs.
However, she still needs help from Pelti to provide the tickets."

Earlier, Angie's father Rico Widjaja recalled the difficulties
for his 15-year-old daughter to enter the prestigious tournament
and he expressed hope that she would receive financial support.

Benny said: "It will look very bad if Pelti can't help Angie
while, on the other side, the French Open organizers are
providing her with an allowance. Why can't Pelti help?"

"I heard Pelti chairman Tanri Abeng say two weeks ago when
attending the World Youth Championships that he would help Angie.
We'll see tomorrow if he fulfills his promise." (yan)