Shuttlers want more openness in sponsorship

JAKARTA (JP): Better communications and transparency in sponsorship contracts were the main issues at an informal meeting between the newly elected chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, and national shuttlers at the Badminton Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, yesterday.

"The players hope all new officials will communicate better and be transparent with the athletes. It doesn't mean that the old officials were not transparent but the shuttlers expect better from us," said Subagyo, who is also the Army deputy chief of staff.

Indonesia's badminton queen, Susi Susanti, and husband Alan Budikusuma, both Olympic gold medalists in 1992, represented their teammates to complain about the problems they faced as national shuttlers.

"Speaking about sponsors' contracts or prize money, I think it's only a matter of misunderstanding. The officials must explain to the players how much they will receive from sponsors and how much they'll get from their prize money win in every tournament," Subagyo said.

"Sometimes, the officials could not explain it clearly and this made the shuttlers confused. I hope the new officials will explain all problems, including the shuttlers' money, as soon as possible."

Some shuttlers complained to the old officials last year over their contract with the squad's main sponsor, sports equipment company Yonex.

They said the officials did not explain the sponsorship contract and always distributed the money several months late.

Performance

Subagyo, who lost to Ardy B. Wiranata in yesterday's practice, said that the officials will set four guidelines in developing the shuttlers.

"First, we have to improve our players' physical condition since it's been a problem in international tournaments," he said.

As a way to improve the shuttlers' condition, the association has contracted physical trainer Paulus Pessurnay, who has coached national tennis players including world number 20 Yayuk Basuki.

"Secondly, we must improve their technical skills. Each athlete must have weapons, either smashes or lobs or anything," Subagyo said.

The association installed sports expert Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar as its athletes development deputy. Siregar was the association's secretary general in the 1980s.

It also installed Indonesia's former best coach, Christian Hadinata, as the center director.

"The third issue is that we have to sharpen the players' and coaches' strategy in every tournament. Both shuttlers and coaches must discuss their strategy before... every match," Subagyo said.

"Finally, the coaches must also consider the athletes' non- technical problems, including their problems with boyfriends or girlfriends or with their families. These problems can influence their concentration in a tournament," he said.

Subagyo said the association would send some shuttlers to the Japan Open tournament as a way to select Indonesia's Thomas and Uber Cups squads.

"This is a hard test for our players before competing in the Thomas and Uber Cups," he said.

The association plans to send Joko Suprianto, Hariyanto Arbi, Indra Wijaya, Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Alan Budikusuma, Ardy B. Wiranata and Hermawan Susanto in the men's singles. Mia Audina, Cindana and Lydia Djaelawidjaja will compete in the women's singles.

Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto, Denny Kantono/Antonius and Eng Hian/Hermono will compete in the men's doubles while Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina and Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur will compete in the mixed doubles. (yan)