RI aims to grab Olympic golds

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday asked Indonesian badminton players to maintain the momentum they gained after snatching a double glory in the Thomas and Uber Cups by retaining their Olympic gold medals in Atlanta.

"The successes line up a new challenge in our quest for sports excellence. Susi Susanti and company have to begin all preparations for the Olympic Games, lest we lose what we have gained," President Soeharto warned the triumphant Thomas Cup and Uber Cup teams at the Merdeka Palace yesterday.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman and Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar were all present at the gathering.

Soeharto said that badminton remains the only sport that bears Indonesia's hopes for world-level achievement in sports. "That's why we must work hard to defend our badminton superiority," he said in his speech.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia will resume the training program this week and give its players a break from any tournaments prior to next month's Olympics.

Badminton is one of the only two sports which have given Indonesia its Olympic medals. A women's archery trio put Indonesia among medal winning countries for the first time ever in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 with a silver. Four years later, Susi and her fiance Alan Budikusuma won a gold each in Barcelona.

Susi and Alan, who will defend their gold medals, will be among Indonesia's 20 shuttlers who have qualified for the Atlanta Olympics. Five gold medals are at stake in this year's Games.

Indonesia retained the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup trophies in Hong Kong recently, and now sets its sights on winning two gold medals in Atlanta.

"I, personally, and on behalf of all Indonesian people, am proud of you all for your efforts to bring the trophies back home," Soeharto said.

Soeharto sent his congratulations to the national teams shortly after world champion Hariyanto Arbi clinched Indonesia's Thomas Cup victory, which completed its double glory.

In an informal chat which followed the ceremony, Soeharto showed his great concern for the badminton heroes and heroines.

"Susi, when will you marry?" the president asked Indonesia's badminton queen. A blushing Susi quickly replied that she would marry Alan next year.

Soeharto, who admitted watching both the Cup finals on TV, was also curious on Mia Audina's injury during the Uber Cup competition. The 17-year-old shuttler played with a knee support to prevent her injury from worsening.

Thousands of people in the traffic-jammed capital lined up later yesterday to cheer their badminton idols, who displayed the pair of trophies in a stylish parade across the city.

It was the second massive reception for the badminton players after a street welcome party when they reached home on Tuesday last week. (amd)