Shuttlers warned of psychological warfare
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto addressed the national Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton teams yesterday, cautioning them to be psychologically ready for the way the foreign media reported events in Indonesia.
The President said psychological warfare may be waged against the national shuttlers through reports of bad news about crisis- stricken Indonesia.
The teams will leave for Hong Kong on Tuesday to attempt a third successive double Cup win.
"We will take on their psychological warfare and terrorism, and so forth ... The false reports on Indonesia, some half-baked mockeries, may be exploited to weaken our players," Soeharto told the badminton squads.
He said the foreign media always covered the dark side of the crisis in Indonesia.
"They always describe it as if we are facing chaos and famine because of the economic wreckage. They also think the crisis will adversely affect our players' performances. Of course we are in trouble, but not that way," Soeharto said.
He said the players would hear bad news during their outing, but asked them to maintain their composure in order to retain the two coveted trophies.
"If you can win the Cups, it will brush aside all the incorrect media reports," he said.
The biennial event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Indoor Stadium in Hong Kong from May 15 to May 24. Jakarta-based private TV network RCTI will broadcast every match live played by the Indonesian team from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Soeharto received a courtesy call from the shuttlers at the Bina Graha presidential office. Badminton Association of Indonesia chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono and National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar were also present at the meeting.
The Thomas Cup men's team is made up of Hariyanto Arbi, Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Indra Wijaya, Joko Suprianto (singles), Chandra Wijaya, Sigit Budiarto, Ricky Subagja, Rexy Mainaky and Tony Gunawan (doubles).
The Uber Cup women's team consists of Susi Susanti, Mia Audina, Meiluawati, Ellen Angelina, Cindana (singles), Elisa, Zelin Resiana, Deyana Lomban, Indarti Isolina and Finarsih (doubles).
Subagyo told Soeharto that the badminton association had groomed the players since January and that they were determined to retain the Cups.
Indonesia has won the Thomas Cup a record 10 times since 1957 and the Uber Cup three times.
Indonesia is the current holder of both Cups from wins two years ago in Hong Kong.
Earlier Wednesday, Director General of Taxation I Made Gde Brata said the government had granted the sports council's request for departure tax exemptions for all members of the two teams.
The government quadrupled the tax, imposed on residents leaving the country by air, to Rp 1 million in February.
Exemptions are normally given to members of cultural, sports and religious missions representing the country. Minister of Finance Fuad Bawazier had announced earlier that only athletes and officials bound to competitions with multiple events deserved the exemption.
Secretary-general of the association, Leo Ch. Wiranata, said the exemption would save up to Rp 40 million for the 37-member team. (lnt/prb)