Special prizes await Sudirman Cup winners

Special prizes await Sudirman Cup winners

JAKARTA (JP): An abundance of awards and praise from seven
private companies await national shuttlers if they win the
Sudirman Cup, the symbol of supremacy in mixed badminton.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia's (PBSI) chairman,
Soerjadi, said yesterday Lippo, Djarum, Nyonya Meneer, PT
Sampoerna and Penta were among the seven companies.

"I can't yet tell you how many awards will be given to the
players," Soerjadi said after sending off the Indonesian
badminton team to the Sudirman Cup and world championships from
its Cipayung training center.

The Sudirman Cup will be held in Glasgow from May 19 to May 25
and the world championships in the same city from May 26 to June
1.

Soerjadi said he would discuss the awards with the players in
Glasgow, Scotland.

Indonesia has named 31 players for the Sudirman Cup and world
championships.

Soerjadi said Lippo and Djarum had promised to help the
association's development programs.

"The two companies will not only help for the two tournaments
but will also help finance all the association's programs," he
said.

Soerjadi said 20 other companies had also contacted PBSI with
offers to provide assistance. These companies included Bank
Danamon and Indorayon.

"I have not yet received any further word from the 20
companies," he said.

At the association's anniversary on May 5, Soerjadi promised
bonuses if shuttlers could win the Sudirman Cup.

But several badminton observers like Minarni Soedaryanto said
the players should concentrate on the two tournaments and not the
bonuses.

"The players should concentrate on their performance rather
than on the bonuses," the former badminton player and current
coach said.

Badminton pundit M.F. Siregar said Wednesday it could be good
or bad for Indonesian to play China in men's doubles second game.

Siregar said it would be positive if Indonesia needed to level
the score 1-1 if Indonesia lost the first game. But he said if
China won it would be a burden in the remaining matches.

"This could effect the players morale since Indonesia is
relying on the doubles," Siregar was quoted by Antara as saying.

Siregar said Indonesia should not take China lightly because
they have good players who have won several international
tournaments.

"But this does not mean we should be scared of China. The most
important thing is that we have the motivation to win," Siregar
said.

China is expected to send 28 shuttlers to the two events.
Among the players are men's All England winner Dong Jiong and
runner-up Sun Jun, and women's singles stars Ye Zhaoying and Gong
Zhichao. (lnt)