Philippines asks for RI badminton coaches

Philippines asks for RI badminton coaches

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia had the
honor of being visited by the chairwoman of the Badminton
Association of the Philippines, Amelita M Ramos, at its
headquarters in Cipayung, East Jakarta, yesterday.

Ramos was accompanied by her daughter Cristy Ramos-Jalasco -
chairwoman of the Philippine Olympic Committee - and the
Philippine ambassador to Indonesia - Eusebio A Abaquin,

The first lady of the Philippines asked Indonesia to provide
coaches for her country.

"We need to have more coaches from Indonesia. Here you have
thousands but in the Philippines we only have 10 to 15 coaches,"
Ramos told reporters at the BAI headquarters.

Indonesia's association chairman, Soerjadi, who briefed Ramos
about the headquarters' condition, agreed not only to send
coaches to the Philippines but also to send national shuttlers
periodically.

"We talked about the possibility of sending Indonesian coaches
to my country," she said.

The first lady took a close look at the condition of the
national badminton headquarters, examined a model of the
building, watched the players practicing and inspected the
dormitories.

"I'm very impressed at the facilities here. Hopefully, we can
learn something from here," she said.

Ramos said she would send Filipino shuttlers to take part at
the next SEA Games, which is to be staged here in October 1997.

"Of course our target is to get the gold medal," she said, a
remark that was met with laughs.

Ramos is sure that she will be assisted by her husband,
President Fidel Ramos, and daughter Ramos-Jalasco to develop
badminton in her country.

"It's not only now that I want to develop badminton. But I
started as soon as I became the chairman of the federation," she
said.

Ramos said the Philippines badminton association is
establishing links with the country's ministry of education and
culture to popularize the sport in elementary schools.

She also said that the government helps the development by
providing rackets, shoes and other equipment to the children.

According to Ramos, the Philippines only has one international
standard shuttler, Wyna Liem, who qualified for the Centennial
Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

"This is a step forward for the country to have a shuttler
qualify for the Olympic," she said.

Ramos received two badminton rackets, for her and her husband,
from former World Champion Heryanto Arby during yesterday's
visit. The rackets were signed by Indonesia's best shuttlers,
including Susi Susanti, Alan Budikusuma, Ricky Subagja and Rexy
Mainaky.

Before leaving Cipayung, Ramos challenged Indonesia's rookie
Hani Setyani, daughter of national coach Atik Jauhari, to a
singles match.

Surprisingly, Ramos, who admired Indonesia's Olympic gold
medalists Ricky and Rexy, was able to fight against Hani.

"I can still hit the shuttle but I can't run anymore," said
the 69-year-old first lady. (yan)