RI shuttlers must have managers: Business expert

JAKARTA (JP): With their international achievements, it is time for Indonesian shutters to have their own managers to negotiate contracts with sponsors.

The point was addressed on Tuesday by business expert Rhenald Kasali in a discussion on "Measuring the Advantage and Disadvantage of Collective and Individual Contract System" jointly staged by BOLA sports tabloid and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

"Athletes shouldn't fight by themselves about money. It is the duty of their managers. If a manager can't be hired individually, maybe they can hire a manager for three or four athletes," he said.

"There is still lots of space on athletes' shirts that can be sold to many companies. However, we still have to approve the composition of the shirts. Don't let the apparel become full of brands."

Yonex, which has been PBSI's main sponsor, has extended a four-year contract with the association. The contract is worth $1.075 million for the first and second years, increasing to $1.275 million for the third and fourth years.

Rhenald criticized PBSI secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata's statement that it has been very difficult to find more sponsors since the economic crisis that began mid-1997.

"It is wrong to say that there are no sponsors. There are still plenty non-competitor companies to sponsor the players. For example, mobile phone producers."

"Companies need a gallery to promote their products, in this case competitions. Don't expect national companies to sponsor our players if the chance for the athletes to perform at home is so limited. The national shuttlers are more famous and have much better achievement than TV artists but why is their appreciation so low."

Sports business practitioner Helmy Yahya -- who also organizes and promotes basketball and volleyball events and stars -- shared the same belief.

"Athletes are saleable assets. We can make sporting events attractive entertainment. One way to gain more sponsors is by urging our world-class athletes to perform in national tournaments and make sure that the events are covered by TV."

Helmy also criticized shuttlers for not being able to "sell themselves".

"They must be mature and know how to deal with the press. It's a part of the selling factor."

"Take Taufik Hidayat (world number four shuttler) as an example. He's good looking, wins many tournaments and he dates a singer ... he really knows how to be in the spotlight. Unfortunately, we don't have many athletes like him."

Changing system

The discussion was held to respond to requests by star national shuttlers to have individual sponsorships.

PBSI has turned down the request saying that the collective system remains the best. However, the body has promised to give a bigger portion of the money to the better achieving athletes.

Former PBSI chairman, Titus Kurniadi -- who pioneered the collective system in 1991 -- said that there are some loopholes that can be used by PBSI to earn more money.

"If companies have to contract PBSI collectively for US$300,000 per year, it's really difficult. The amount must be reduced."

"Players can still earn individual sponsors and place their logos on the left arm and front and back of the shirts. But the logos are not allowed to appear in major tournaments including the Sudirman Cup, World Championships, Thomas and Uber Cups," Titus said.

Rhenald also criticized the PBSI deal with Japanese based sports equipment Yonex as "a monopoly and dictator to PBSI."

"PBSI must have a good lawyer that can comprehend the agreement and deal with sponsors to strengthen its bargaining power."

Another former PBSI chairman, Ferry Sonneville, urged PBSI to have a board of experts to promote the sport and the athletes.

Olympic gold medalist Candra Wijaya, who had called for changes to the sponsor system, said that the players have approved the collective system but it must be adjusted to the current situation.

Candra said the men's singles and doubles and mixed doubles must receive a bigger portion of the contract money compared to the women's singles and doubles, which have performed poorly.

He maintained that in each discipline, the money must be distributed based on the International Badminton Federation (IBF) rankings. (yan)