China ready for full-scale attack at Indonesian Open<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After a four-year absence at the five-star
\nIndonesian Open, the Chinese team is ready to make a clean sweep
\nat the event by fielding its best shuttlers.<\/p>\n
In contrast, the host, the Badminton Association of Indonesia
\n(PBSI), is still doubtful on whether it will stage the US$170,000
\ntournament slated for between July 25 and July 29 with regard to
\nthe heated domestic political situation.<\/p>\n
\"The Chinese team will consist of 39 shuttlers, eight coaches,
\none doctor and a secretary. I believe they are preparing a major
\nonslaught after their absence over the last four years,\" PBSI
\nsecretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata told reporters on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"The team has also asked PBSI to provide 21 rooms for
\naccommodation from July 23 to July 30.\"<\/p>\n
The shuttler list includes World Championship semifinalist
\nChen Hong, 2000 All England winner Xia Xuanze, Olympic champion
\nJi Xinpeng, juniors Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai on the men's side and
\nworld champion Gong Ruina, world number one Zhou Mi, 2000 Asian
\nBadminton Championships winner Xie Xingfang and Olympic doubles
\nchampion Gao Ling in the women's team. Chinese head coach Li
\nYongbo will also be accompanying the entourage set to visit
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Leo said it was quite unusual that China had announced its
\nplayers long before the July 10 deadline for entry form.<\/p>\n
\"It is still possible for them to change the list but they
\nstill have plenty of time to do so,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"PBSI has also received registration from several other
\ncountries that will field their best badminton players. We are
\nstill waiting for entries from other badminton powerhouses such
\nas Denmark, Malaysia and South Korea.\"<\/p>\n
England has confirmed its participation and plans to field
\nColin Haughton and Julia Mann while Chinese Taipei will rely on
\nits Indonesian-born shuttler Fung Permadi and Thailand is
\nfielding, among others, Boonsak Polsana.<\/p>\n
Leo said with the planned special session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) to take place on Aug. 1 -- in which
\nmany observers fear violent rallies prior to and during the
\nsession -- title sponsor Sanyo, a Japanese giant electronic
\nmanufacturer, has asked PBSI to consider all possibilities
\nrelated to the event in terms of time and place.<\/p>\n
\"The sponsor did not ask to cancel the event but requested a
\nthorough examination of all available options. We will have the
\nmeeting on Tuesday,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We could stage the event in another city that is relatively
\nsafe and less risky from current political tension or postpone it
\nto November, one week before the start of the Muslim fasting
\nmonth, known as Ramadhan.\"<\/p>\n
\"The international schedule is already very tight and we have
\nlittle space left for the Indonesian Open if we still want to
\nhold it this year.\"<\/p>\n
Leo said there had been no decision taken yet on whether the
\nevent was to be canceled or not.<\/p>\n
He also said that the International Badminton Federation (IBF)
\nhas already taken the Singapore Open off the schedule to allow
\nthe 2000 Grand Prix Finals slated on Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 to take
\nplace.<\/p>\n
\"There will be the Asian Badminton Championships from Aug. 20
\nto Aug. 26 in the Philippines followed by the Southeast Asian
\n(SEA) Games from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 in Kuala Lumpur,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The main circuit in Asia will be concluded by the China Open
\nfrom Sept. 25 to Sept. 30 followed by the European circuit
\ncomprising the German Open, Dutch Open and Danish Open in
\nOctober.\" (nvn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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