PBSI upbeat on Thomas Cup despite Tony's absence<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia looks set to take on a demanding task in its bid to
\ndefend the Thomas Cup men's championship title after Olympic gold
\nmedalist Tony Gunawan rejected a call-up to rejoin the national
\nteam.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has officially
\naccepted Tony's letter refusing to join the squad earlier this
\nweek.<\/p>\n
"Tony said that he wanted to pursue his academic career and
\nopted not to join the Thomas Cup team this time around. We have
\nto respect his decision," PBSI vice chairman for development and
\ninternational relations Indra Kartasasmita told reporters on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
"Tony's refusal indeed affected our strength but we have no
\nother choice but to take the risks."<\/p>\n
Interviewed separately, Tony's Olympic-winning partner Candra
\nWijaya and men's doubles coach Herry Imam Pierngadi told The
\nJakarta Post that Tony's absence would call for a finer strategy
\nin the doubles matches.<\/p>\n
"I must say Tony's decision has made our effort to defend the
\nCup more complicated. It is such a pity that Tony decided not to
\njoin the Thomas squad," said Candra.<\/p>\n
"The strength is more or less equal between all participants
\nand there is no dominant power now."<\/p>\n
Candra is pairing with Sigit Budiarto while Tony used to team
\nup with Halim Heryanto. They formed doubles pairs who dominated
\nworld events.<\/p>\n
Tony, who resigned from the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI)
\nlast October, has not been available for interview for the past
\nfew weeks.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Herry said Tony would be leaving for the United
\nStates on Jan. 19 to reunite with his lover, former national
\nshuttler Etty Tantri.<\/p>\n
"Tony's decision not to join the Thomas Cup team forced us to
\nform a new pairing to replace Tony and Halim. We still have
\nveterans Bambang Suprianto and Tri Kusheryanto and second
\nstringer Nova Widhianto in addition to Halim," Herry told the
\nPost<\/p>\n
"The problem is the pair will not be as strong as Tony and
\nHalim although their difference is insignificant."<\/p>\n
Bambang and Tri usually play mixed doubles with Emma Ermawati
\nand Minarti Timur respectively.<\/p>\n
"But Bambang and Tri managed to defeat Candra and Tony at the
\nAsian Championships in Manila. So, I will not be worried about
\ntheir strength," Herry said.<\/p>\n
"For shuttlers like them, four months of preparation will be
\nenough to forge them into a stronger men's doubles pair."<\/p>",
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