Sun, 03 Dec 2000

Players, clubs 'can seek cosponsors'

JAKARTA (JP): Sports observer Fritz E. Simandjuntak said on Friday badminton players and clubs could seek cosponsors without changing the sponsorships deal signed by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) and Japanese sports equipment producer Yonex.

"It would be much easier if both PBSI and Yonex revised the deal, particularly the condition saying that PBSI's cosponsorship deals must be worth US$300,000 per product, per year.

"But even if the deal is not changed, players and clubs can still seek cosponsors as long as PBSI doesn't sign the deal. The condition can only be applied if PBSI signs the cosponsor," he said.

Fritz said the division of sponsorship money between players, clubs and PBSI could be adjusted depending on who secured the sponsors.

"If PBSI got the sponsor, then it would receive 50 percent of the deal while clubs would get 15 percent and athletes 35 percent. If athletes got the sponsors, they would get 50 percent, clubs earn 35 percent and 15 percent would go to PBSI. If clubs got the sponsors, they would get 50 percent, athletes 35 percent and PBSI would get 15 percent. It is fair and everybody would get their share. It would not break the condition (of the Yonex deal)," said Fritz, who is chairman of the National Sports Council's business and sports industry commission.

Fritz was responding to queries by national shuttlers about the possibility of having individual sponsorships replace the current collective system.

PBSI gets 50 percent of the $1 million per year from Yonex, while the other half goes to players.

PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo asked athletes to draw up their ideal sponsorship arrangement before the two sides meet next week to discuss the issue.

Olympic gold medalist Candra Wijaya said earlier athletes were demanding a revision of the sponsorship system because of the lack of attention from PBSI and the government to the futures of the athletes once their playing days are over.

He also complained about the small amount of money he received from the Yonex deal despite his status, along with partner Tony Gunawan, as the world's number one men's doubles team.

Fritz -- who is also the marketing, government relations and communications manager at IBM Indonesia -- said PBSI should not sign agreements with sponsors on behalf of players, because the players belong to clubs, not the sports body. He also criticized PBSI for not being transparent and allowing athletes to know how much money they each earn from the contract.

The current system gives full authority to PBSI to divide the money from the sponsorship deal based on the discipline of the shuttlers, not their achievements.

A mixed doubles team ranked number one in the world could receive half of a women's singles shuttler whose world ranking has dropped to the 20s.

Fritz said badminton sponsors could take advantage of their athletes to promote their products through the electronic and printed media.

"Sponsors could bring athletes to some of the bigger cities in the country to promote the sport and the products. They could also ask players to do charity work, and put this clause in the deal.

"Unfortunately, neither PBSI or Yonex have explored this side and it influences the athletes' popularity. On the ATP tour, tennis players have to join the social programs run by local organizers and sponsors. It is a good promotion for both the sponsors and the athletes." (yan)