RI has a good chance of winning Olympic golds

RI has a good chance of winning Olympic golds

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's success in winning two titles in two
five-star Grand Prix series tennis tournaments has increased the
country's optimism of bringing home gold medals from the Olympic
Games in Sydney next month.

Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo said on the sidelines of a scholarship handing over
ceremony at Trisakti University that Taufik Hidayat, who won both
the Indonesia and Malaysia Open crowns, had a considerable chance
of winning the gold medal without pushing aside seniors Hendrawan
and Marlev Mainaky.

"With his victory in two consecutive tournaments, we are
optimistic that he, and his seniors, has a chance to win gold.
The success in the Thomas Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur in
May is also an indication of our chances," he said on Monday.

In the Indonesia Open, Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan won the
title while runners up Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian managed to win
the Malaysia Open title.

"Our chances in the men's doubles are also good. We all know
that the event has become our strength for some time since the
early 1990s," Subagyo said.

But Subagyo was pessimistic about Indonesia's chances in the
mixed doubles as Indonesia's number one duo of Tri Kusharyanto
and Minarti Timur failed to win the title, bowing out to Kim
Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min of South Korea in the Malaysia Open
final. They also lost in the Indonesia Open semifinals to
eventual winners Joanne Goode and Simon Archer of England.

PBSI training director Christian Hadinata said that Taufik had
shown great promise since the Thomas Cup.

"About two years ago, he trailed behind the top players. Now
he'll be the number one in the newest IBF ranking list and he's
the trailed. He must be prepared for the situation," he said.

Separately, the secretary-general of the National Sports
Council (KONI), Rudolf S. Warouw, said the council would
recommend to the Australian Embassy and to the finance ministry
that visa application be made easier and exit taxed be waived for
70 supporters to the Sept. 15 to Oct. 1 Olympics.

"Supporters won't get ID cards from the organizers. Besides,
they must pay for their own transportation and accommodation.
They also have to buy tickets to enter a venue," he said.

Warouw said that among those included on the list were 22
people recommended by the Indonesian Taekwondo Association and
eight people by the Indonesian Wrestling Association.

The Indonesian contingent -- comprising 48 athletes, 23
coaches and 19 officials -- is expected to receive support from
Indonesian citizens in Australia.

"I met some Indonesians last year and they agreed to help us
during our stay in Australia. I have also met with the Consulate
General officials and they'll help us verify the name of
Indonesian visitors as stated in the passports," he said.

Warouw said besides the formal members of the contingent, the
Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) also
approved the guest transferable (GT) status for nine
Indonesians.

Recipients of guest transferable cards are Subagyo, Indonesian
Archery Association chairman Hayono Isman, weightlifting training
director Djoko Pramono, House of Representatives Commission VI on
human resources and religion affairs chairman Ma'ruf Amin and
deputy chairman Paturungi Parawansa, McDonald's Indonesia
president Bambang Rachmadi, Gelora Senayan financial deputy
executive director M. Sarengat and KONI vice chairmen Indra Djati
Sidi and Harsuki.

Warouw said KONI would also send 10 officials, including six
assistants, to the Olympics, including training director Arie
Sudewo and four unidentified people who were not granted ID cards
by organizers, apart from the official contingent. (ivy/yan)