Indonesia announces Davis, Fed Cup teams<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association yesterday
\nannounced which players would compete in the Davis Cup tie
\nagainst Japan next week.<\/p>\n
Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said yesterday that
\nSulistyo Wibowo, Andrian Raturandang and Suhendar Dinata would
\nrepresent the country in the qualifier in Sapporo, Japan, from
\nFeb. 13 to Feb. 15. They will be accompanied by nonplaying team
\ncaptain Sulistyono Sukamat.<\/p>\n
"Bonit (Wiryawan), who usually partners Sulistyo in the
\ndoubles, could not join the squad because he's still suffering
\nfrom typhoid," he said.<\/p>\n
Sarwono named Wynne Prakusya, Wukirasih Sawondari and Eny
\nSulistyowati for the Fed Cup team to compete in the Asia Oceania
\nqualifying group I in Bangkok from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22.<\/p>\n
Wynne who became the first Indonesian to reach a grand slam
\nfinal in the junior division, was given a bigger role in the Fed
\nCup.<\/p>\n
One of the three players will play in the singles and the
\ndoubles.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said the three players would have to work hard to
\nadapt to the winter conditions in Sapporo.<\/p>\n
"If we look at their technical skills, the Japanese players
\nare no stronger than the Indonesians. But they will be playing in
\nfront of their own public in winter. Our players must prepare
\nthemselves mentally and physically to fight the chilly
\nconditions," he said.<\/p>\n
On Japan's team are Goichi Motomura, Takao Suzuki, Hideki
\nKaneko, Satoshi Iwabuchi and non-playing captain Jun Kamiwazumi.<\/p>\n
Indonesian coach Deddy Prasetyo will accompany the players as
\nteam manager during the Fed Cup qualifying ties.<\/p>\n
"The young trio has improved greatly and I am just giving them
\nthe target of staying in the group," he said.<\/p>\n
The winner of the qualifying round, in which eight countries
\nwill compete, will go through to the World group.<\/p>\n
"It's hard for the young players to be the winners without
\nYayuk Basuki (world ranked 20). They will have to fight against
\nthe Chinese and the Thais. I guess Tamarine (Tanasugarn) of
\nThailand will be out for revenge as she lost to our players in
\nthe 19th SEA Games last year, especially as she will be playing
\nat home now."<\/p>\n
Senior Irawati Moerid Iskandar did not join the squad as she
\ndid not improve enough.<\/p>\n
"Irawati had said that she wanted to compete in the SEA Games.
\nShe also realizes that she has already reached her peak," Sarwono
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Physics<\/p>\n
Deddy said the male and female players have improved their
\nfitness by training in high-altitude town of Ambarawa, Central
\nJava, about 35 kilometers south of Semarang.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said he was looking for foster parents for two young
\ntalented players, Wukirasih and Febi Widhiyanto, so they could
\ncompete in national and international events.<\/p>\n
"They don't have rich parents, sponsors or clubs. I have
\nalready met some people who want to finance them. I also want to
\npublish the names of these people, with their permission, to
\nencourage more rich people to help our talented players," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Sarwono complained that the association was being forced to
\ncancel some tournaments due to sponsorship difficulties.<\/p>\n
"They had agreed to sponsor the tournaments but due to the
\neconomic turmoil many companies have withdrawn from the tours,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Some Governor's cup tournaments and the Danamon Indonesian
\nOpen women's tournament are among the canceled events. (yan)<\/p>",
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