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)