Thousands greet badminton Cups in grand parade
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of cheering badminton fans poured into the capital city as the Thomas and Uber Cups were paraded yesterday morning - while an even larger number of enthusiasts were still sound asleep.
The 30-kilometer motorcade parade around the capital, which also had Indonesia's victorious badminton teams on view, was the climax to the country's week-long celebration of its double success in the May 10-21 badminton championships.
The party was over and the badminton heroes and heroines set their sights on the titles they have never won, Asian Games gold medals. After a week off, the shuttlers will rejoin their grueling training camp.
A convertible with reigning All England champion Hariyanto Arbi and the world number one doubles of Rudy Gunawan and Bambang Supriyanto flanked the Thomas Cup trophy as they led the pack of eight jeeps from Senayan indoor stadium.
Rising star Mia Audina and veteran doubles specialist Rosiana Tendean closely trailed with the Uber Cup in hands. The other shuttlers and officials of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) were scattered in the remaining six cars.
Some 3,000 cyclists formed a long row at the rear of the pack, but they disbanded when the motorcade took a break at the City Hall.
The buoyant crowd chanted deafening cheers as the motorcade entered the area around the National Monument, but they were kept standing on the sidewalks by the 20 police cruisers which closely guarded the shuttlers along the way. The badminton enthusiasts found consolation as smiles always adorned Susi Susanti and her teammates' sweating faces.
Dance
At City Hall, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja hosted a brief meeting with the victors. Five couples dressed up in Betawi traditional dress and performers dancing the celebratory Ondel- ondel dance welcomed the PBSI executive chairman Sumaryono-led squads as they stepped onto the podium at the hall.
"I and all Jakartans are very proud of you. We hope to see other talents follow in your steps," Surjadi said as he congratulated the winning teams.
Hariyanto spurred the Indonesian men's team to a 3-0 rout of title holder Malaysia in a shortened final, the first unfinished final battle since 1967. The victory also gave Indonesia its ninth title.
In the women's Uber Cup final, Susi led a blend of veteran and youths to deny defending champion China of its sixth successive title in a 3-2 nail biter. This was Indonesia's first Uber Cup since 1975.
Indonesia complemented its Uber Cup '75 title with Thomas Cup glory in 1976, becoming the first badminton playing country to notch a double in the same season. China surpassed Indonesia's feat with three doubles in 1986, 1988 and 1990.
Both trophies will stay at PBSI's headquarter in Cipayung until the national badminton body reaches a decision on whether processions will be held at Java's three provinces.
PBSI's chapters in West Java, Central Java and East Java have asked for the same Thomas Cup and Uber Cup victory celebrations as PBSI gave in the capital city. (amd)