State firms mull sponsoring crop of junior tennis players
State firms mull sponsoring crop of junior tennis players
JAKARTA (JP): State enterprises are interested in sponsoring
training programs for young Indonesian tennis players to lay the
foundations for success in the future, treasurer of the
Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) Qoyum A. Tjandranegara said
on Wednesday.
Qoyum told a media briefing that the state enterprises were
now waiting for a detailed list of juniors who would receive the
sponsorship, a competition schedule and estimated expenses from
Pelti's official in charge of athletes development Sudjiono
Timan.
"Some state enterprises have expressed their enthusiasm in
funding the training of a minimum of two juniors. Later the
sponsors will stage competitions to contest their players against
others. However, we have yet to decide on who will receive the
sponsorships," said Qoyum, who is also director of the state-
owned gas company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN).
Qoyum also announced that 133 junior players from 20 countries
would compete in the Indonesia Gas Negara International Junior
Championship 2000. The competition, featuring 83 boys and 50
girls will take place at the Kemayoran Tennis Center in Central
Jakarta from March 5 to March 12.
Pelti's official in charge of the competition Soebronto Laras
said the championship was recognized by the International Tennis
Federation (ITF) and was a part of the ITF Junior Circuit Group-
3.
"We have had to stage a prequalification because there are so
many competitors, while ITF has only allowed 32 players in the
main draw," he said.
"The juniors can test their skills in the championship because
we invite them to the prequalifying round of the Asia-Oceania
junior championship in May, scheduled to be staged here," he
said, adding that it would be attended by 25 countries.
Separately, three Indonesian men's players reached the second
round of the US$15,000 Indonesia Futures-2 at Kemayoran Tennis
Center here on Wednesday.
Davis Cup team member Febi Widhiyanto will challenge Futures-1
winner Zbynek Mlynarik of Austria on Thursday. Febi beat Dirk
Stegmann of South Africa 6-4, 6-1, while Mlynarik outclassed top
seed Alsam Qureshi of Pakistan 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Old hand Dede Suhendar Dinata of Indonesia barely sweated when
beating Slovakian Vladimir Platenik 6-3, 6-0. Dede will challenge
Rick De Voest of South Africa, who beat home player Andrian
Raturandang 6-0, 6-2.
Another Davis Cup team member Suwandi outclassed fifth seeded
Frantisek Babej of Slovakia 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-2). Suwandi
will play Bjorn Jacob of Germany, who defeated Andrew McDade of
South Africa 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Davis Cup team member Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo
Pramono made early exits. Edy bowed out to Frantisek Cermak of
Czech Republic 2-6, 2-6, while Hendri lost to Slovakian Viktor
Bruthans 4-6, 2-6. (ivy)