Shuttlers want more openness in sponsorship

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)