Indonesia to award 2.5 billion rupees to every gold medallist of London Olympics
The Indonesian shuttlers will now gear up for the medal race as the government has announced to award RP 2.5 billion to those athletes who will wear gold medal around their neck in London event, starting from July 28, 2012.
In previous edition of Olympics, held in Beijing, the authorities honoured their gold medallists, the male duo Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, with cash prize of RP 1.5 billion while the silver and bronze medallists pocketed RP 750 and 300 million respectively.
This year, National Sports Committee (KONI) is giving 1.5 billion for each gold medal while the Ministry of Sports and Youth affairs will offer lucrative amount of 1 billion to gold medal winners.
However, both institutions have not announced any prize money for those who will lock second and third place.
The deputy sports and youth minister Djoko Pekik hoped that this step will motivate the Indonesian challengers to make best out of the mega event.
He said, “It’s not a big amount but that’s what the government can afford. Hopefully the bonuses will give more motivation for our athletes to do their best in the Olympics.”
Indonesia is considered as one of the top contenders in badminton world and its shuttlers can spoil their rivals’ party at any time.
Men’s singles event will see World Number nine Simon Santoso and former World and Olympic Champion Taufik Hidayat racing for the crown while in the Men’s Doubles event Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano and defending champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan will represent
their country.
The Mixed Doubles experts Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir are also the country’s major hope for the Olympic medal.
However, the Women’s Singles competitors are in tight qualification tussle and May 3 world rankings will determine who will have the honour to represent the country.
The Indonesian shuttlers still have two chances to elevate their rankings as they are scheduled to compete at the Yonex Sunrise India Open and Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) before the Olympic qualification period ends in May.
In Beijing Olympics 2008, Indonesian shuttlers managed to win three medals, one gold, one silver and one bronze medal and the authorities are hoping them to put a better show in coming edition of the Olympics.
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