Susi Susanti opens reflexology clinic

Susi Susanti opens reflexology clinic

JAKARTA: For 1992 Olympic badminton champion Susi Susanti,
nirvana means her latest business with fellow former shuttler
Elizabeth Latief in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. Both recently
opened a reflexology and sports massage center in the area.

"It's our new business. We just opened it on May 5," Susi said
recently. "However, many people ask us if we also provide 'extra
services' here ... we strongly denounce such things," in an
apparent reference to the reputation that many massage parlors
cum brothels have.

Susi and Elizabeth even put a Christian cross on the wall in
the entrance way.

"We intentionally put it there so people don't have to ask us
that same question again," Elizabeth said.

Since her retirement from badminton in 1999, Susi has been
busy taking care of her three children and helping husband Alan
Budikusuma run their distribution business of their own racket
brand Aztec. She also runs a baby shop at the ITC Cempaka Mas in
Central Jakarta.

To attract customers, they have distributed leaflets to
passersby, called on other former shuttlers and their friends to
try the service at the new health spa.

"We guarantee that the service here is good," Susi said. "This
is our business so we can survive ... We've had to work hard
because the government does not provide us (badminton players)
jobs or pensions," she jokingly said, followed by a burst of
laughter from Elizabeth. -- JP