Thousands greet badminton Cups in grand parade

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)