Yesterday afternoon (December 2, 2008) I attended the press conference of "Garuda Indonesia Masters" at Cempaka Room, the Executive Club of Sultan Hotel in Jakarta. As it has been discussed before, "Garuda Indonesia Masters" is the paramount of total five series as the chain of "Garuda Indonesia Tennis Series" and have been marathonly held in Jakarta (Sportama Championships), Surabaya (Oke Shop), Jakarta (Rizal Mallarangeng Cup), Solo (BTPN Solo Open) and recently in Jakarta entitled "Alfamart Cup". The upcoming "Garuda Indonesia Masters" is truly the biggest ever tourney in the fourth most populous nation in the world with its total prize money of 500 million rupiahs. In addition, it is indeed a breakthrough as for the very first time the prize money for both men and women players is equal. Yes, prize money distribution for winners of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles as well as women's doubles is all the same amount.
When I asked Angelique Widjaja on how such historical equal prize money came through, a Bandung resident who initiated and organized all the series and its final masters under the flag of "Sportama", said that she had to fight for it through fierce debates with her male business partners in "Sportama".
Chief Executive Officer of Garuda Indonesia, Mr. Emirsyah Satar was present at the presscon along with the current president of Indonesia Tennis Association, Mrs. Martina Widjaja. Mr. Satar admitted that he is a tennis freak and is still playing tennis regularly as he went on about the commitment of Garuda Indonesia in continuing its sponsorship for the series in 2009 and in addition, the state-owned company of national flag carrier will also sponsor Indonesian Fed Cup team next year.
Mr. Glenn Sugita, the principal commissioner of "Sportama" and Mr. Teddy Tanjung, the Tournament Director also joined with Mr. Satar and Mrs. Widjaja in giving their remarks. Both Sugita and Tanjung used to be national players. Sugita was also once squad member of Tennessee Tech University, while Tanjung was Indonesia Davis Cup team member in 1995. As the presscon came along, Mr. Satar conveyed to all of us that the undefeated winners of men's and women's singles will be awarded 100 million rupiah. He hoped that this amount of money will motivate the players to perform at its best and they can maintain their tour accordingly.
In both men's and women's singles, for each category there are 8 players fighting to be the champion. Adopting the classic format of "The Masters Cup" and "Sony Ericsson Championships", they will be divided into 2 groups in each category and the first round-robin matches will start on December 10, all the way to finals on December 14, 2008 in the Tennis Complex of Executive Club at Sultan Hotel. All these players are eligible to compete in "Garuda Indonesia Masters" based on the accumulated points they have earned over the five series. The top eight male competitors are Elbert Sie, Sunu Wahyu Trijati, Prima Simpatiaji, Andrian Raturandang, Christopher Rungkat, Sebastian Da Costa, Surya Wijaya Budi dan Nesa Arta. The two alternates are Andery Setyawanto and Faisal Aidil.
In the meantime, the top eight female contenders are Ayu Fani Damayanti, Liza Andriyani, Lavinia Tananta, Angelique Widjaja, Grace Sari Ysidora, Sandy Gumulya, Lutfiana Aris Budiharto dan Septi Mende. The two reserved players are Jessy Rompies dan Laili Rahmawati Ulfa. In men's doubles, there are eight pairs competing and they will be separated in two groups, while for women's doubles only four pairs will battle.
In women's singles, it is likely that Budiharto will not play next week since she is now studying at Wichita State University, Kansas. On the other hand, until yesterday "Ichiban" Gumulya did not give definite answer when she was asked whether to play in Jakarta or Dubai 75K. She just replied that it was ninety percent without specific detail to choose which tourney. When the press asked further about the ten percent, abruptly Mrs. Widjaja, Gumulya's powerful big boss jumped in and said that the ten percent is in the case of her "golden girl" has injury. As of now, Gumulya is number 8 in the qualifying list of Dubai 75K. In my opinion, she has big chance to move-up into the main draw eventually.
Mrs. Widjaja expressed her upset that she only saw few players attended the presscon yesterday. Though "Sportama" has notified the players but only Hendri Susilo Pramono, Surya Wijaya Budi, Edy Kusdaryanto, Sandy Gumulya, Ayu Fani Damayanti, Lavinia Tananta, Jessy Rompies, Angelique Widjaja and the youngest of the pack Grace Sari Ysidora showed-up. It is a pity that the other players still have lack of respect and appreciation towards the sponsors for whatever reason. It is such common attitude within many Indonesian players.
The draws will be conducted by captain of the captains, Mr. Satar himself on December 9, 2008 and it will be followed with "Welcome Party" at the Executive Club of Sultan Hotel, in the heart of hustle and bustle Jakarta.
Image of Sie is courtesy of Dwi Ari Setiyadi from Kompas Images
Photo of Widjaja by Adji Soedibjo
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar