Yonex pays PBSI sponsorship money

JAKARTA (JP): Japanese sports equipment maker Yonex paid on Monday the third installment amounting to US$250,000 of its yearly sponsorship deal with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

PBSI vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah said the Japanese company had requested to pay half of the money in rupiah at a fixed exchange rate of Rp 4,000 per U.S. dollar.

"We will maintain the fixed exchange rate for the next three months. We will also monitor Yonex's business in Asia, but I don't think we are going to change our agreement very soon," he said.

The check was handed over by representatives of Yonex's Asia distributor, Sunrise & Co. (Pte.) Ltd.

Before economic turbulence swept Asia last year, Yonex paid the full amount in dollars. The sponsorship dates back to 1996.

PBSI represents its badminton players in a collective contract because of their official status as amateurs. With the deal covering between 50 and 80 players, the badminton body allocates a share to each shuttler.

Yonex has also signed a minor contract worth US$25,000 with Indonesia's badminton coaches.

Agus said the contract money would be used to pay the athletes for the May-July term. "That's the policy we inherited from the previous board of executives. We will try to make it right on time."

Yonex's contract allows the association to seek cosponsors as long as the are not competitors. PBSI had a past contract with PT General Motors Buana Indonesia, the manufacturer of Opel vehicles in Indonesia, although it was reportedly terminated before the end of its full term.

Agus said PBSI was negotiating sponsorship deals with state- owned telecommunications company PT Telkom and mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia.

"We are looking for other sponsorship sources just to ease Yonex's burden if the economic situation in the region is getting worse."

Agus said the association had also agreed to help police fight sports equipment piracy here. "We have seen Yonex rackets and other equipment pirated for years."

On the forthcoming Indonesia Open, Agus regretted the absence of many foreign players, saying they would miss chances to raise their world rankings.

Players from only seven countries have confirmed their participation in the annual event, to be held at the Senayan Indoor Stadium in Jakarta from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. (yan)