Tennis body is not facing financial problem: Official
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)