World champions home with a strong plea

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's badminton players who arrived on Tuesday at about 6.00 p.m. at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, called on the government to pay more attention to athletes, especially after their retirement.

Fresh from winning titles at the World Championships in Seville, Spain, on Sunday, men's singles player Hendrawan and men's doubles specialist Tony Gunawan said the government should provide pension to athletes who had won major titles.

"I really hope that with my victory the government would pay more attention on retired athletes who had won international titles.

"I'm not talking about big money as I realize the country's condition. But pension after our retirement will mean a lot to us. It is also to secure our future.

"Sometimes I feel jealous of other countries like China and South Korea, whose champions receive a pension," said Hendrawan, who defeated Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark to become the world champion.

Hendrawan became the fifth Indonesian to win the title after Rudy Hartono in 1980, Icuk Sugiarto in 1983, Joko Suprianto in 1993 and Hariyanto Arbi in 1995.

Tony, who with Halim Heryanto, maintained Indonesia's domination in the men's doubles, echoed Hendrawan's opinion.

"I agree with Hendrawan. We only have the skills of playing badminton. There's nothing else we can do because we don't have formal education. Therefore, we really expect the government to provide pension for us. It's for our future."

The two titles were a nice present for the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo who celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday. Subagyo will end his tenure in the national plenary congress scheduled in October.

"I really thank the players for winning the titles as they are the most beautiful birthday present. I give credit to all shuttlers and coaches for their team work to enable us to reach the Sudirman Cup final although we had to bow out to China.

"We hope with our victory in the men's division, we will also be able to retain the Thomas Cup next year.

Subagyo said the failure in the Sudirman Cup final showed the women's shuttlers had to work harder.

"With Verawati Fadjrin as coach, our women's shuttlers have shown improvement in their technical skills and discipline. But we must work harder to catch up with the other countries, especially China."

The players were welcomed at the airport by the National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, the Ministry of National Education's director general of sports Toho Cholik, former shuttler Ferry Sonneville and other KONI and PBSI officials.

Head coach and the Indonesian Badminton Center training director Christian Hadinata said he would evaluate the results of the championships to ensure the country retained the Thomas Cup next year.

"I can't set the target now, but we'll work hard to retain the Thomas Cup. As for Tony and Halim, I will retain their partnership for now as they have performed very well."

Halim said the victory had boosted his motivation to do better in the future.

"I have proven that I can win in a major event with Tony. I hope we can win in every event we compete.

The squad went directly to Subagyo's residence in Cikeas, East Jakarta, to celebrate his birthday. The team was also welcomed by the Jakarta Morris Club and off-road clubs who followed the team from the airport to Cikeas. (yan)