Tennis body is not facing financial problem: Official
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) has dismissed reports of fund shortage that might prevent the national Davis Cup team compete against the Philippines in its Asia Oceania Zone Group II match in Manila.
The association's official in charge of competitions Soebronto Laras said on Thursday Pelti had collected US$12,000 to enable four players, a coach and a nonplaying captain to play in the competition, which is being held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6.
"We have no problems in financing the team for the Philippines. There is no financial shortage. There are even many officials who want to leave with the team," he said.
The association has named Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Hendri Susilo Pramono and Edy Kusdaryanto as the Davis Cup team. Dedy Prasetyo was elected coach and Tintus Arianto Wibowo appointed as nonplaying captain. The players, plus Sebastian Da Costa, are currently competing in the future tournaments in India.
Financial shortages almost disrupted the preparations of the Davis Cup team.
Pelti had earlier refused to finance the six players in competition in India, saying they must pay their own expenses. But the team insisted on going. Early in January, four team members received sponsorship from a donor, who requested anonymity, while Suwandi was sponsored by businesswoman Martina Widjaja.
Soebronto also said Pelti would continue the staging of 40 tournaments in Indonesia despite the financial shortage, which may have intensified after chairman Tanri Abeng was named a suspect in the Bank Bali scandal.
"We (all officials) have decided that funding is our responsibility. I told them that the show must go on. Life is the same, with or without Pak Tanri," he said.
"Money is essential to keep tennis alive in this country, but I think the general public don't need to know the financial backers who have contributed to this association from behind the scenes."
Soebronto, who is also the president of automotive company PT Indomobil, estimated Pelti would need a maximum of Rp 5 billion (US$680,300) to finance the tournaments, comprising of 21 senior tournaments and 19 junior tournaments. The association will also stage one challenger, six men's futures and six women's satellite tournaments.
Earlier on Thursday, PT Asuransi Niaga Cigna Life said it would sponsor the Rp 35 million Niaga Cigna Open 2000 senior tennis tournament from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13. at the Senayan tennis complex.
Forty eight men's and 26 women's tennis players will compete in the tournament, which will be held annually for three years. The tournament will also serve as an event to decide seedings for 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June. (ivy)