Sudirman Cup rankings strike a sour note<\/p>\n
By Primastuti Handayani<\/p>\n
COPENHAGEN (JP): Officials from participating countries have
\nexpressed disappointment with the International Badminton
\nFederation (IBF) ranking list for the Sudirman Cup here from May
\n10 to May 15.<\/p>\n
Denmark head coach Kenneth Larsen said on Friday the ranking
\nlists, based on individual points from IBF international
\ncircuits, did not reflect the real strengths of each country.<\/p>\n
Due to the inaccurate ranking, each group contains two strong
\ncountries. In group A, host Denmark must face dark horse South
\nKorea, which won the trophy in 1991 and 1993, on Monday. It will
\nmeet Sweden on May 12. Sweden will face Korea on May 11.<\/p>\n
In Group B, the 1989 cup holder Indonesia will meet Malaysia
\non May 11 and challenge defending champion China on May 12. China
\nwill face Malaysia on Monday.<\/p>\n
Larsen said: \"It's crazy. The Swedes are ranked higher than
\nthe Koreans because the latter have not competed in many
\ntournaments recently. Swedes, because they actively compete in
\ninternational circuits, get more points.\"<\/p>\n
\"It's a problem for us because we must face Korea in the first
\nday. Denmark should be in the same group with Sweden and
\nMalaysia. While China is in the same group with Indonesia and
\nSouth Korea.\"<\/p>\n
Larsen added he could not pick the team's contender in the
\nsemifinals as Indonesia would meet China two days after Denmark's
\nmatch against Korea.<\/p>\n
However, Larsen said his team would try its best to win the
\ngroup to reach the semifinals.<\/p>\n
\"There is no other way but to fight our best to win in the
\ngroup.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia's deputy team manager Hadi Nasri, stated the same
\nproblem: \"If people see the IBF ranking list, it's incorrect. Our
\nplayers are not as strong anymore. The strongest category in our
\nteam is only the men's doubles.\"<\/p>\n
However, Hadi warned other contenders to be vigilant in their
\ngames against Indonesia as his team aimed to bring back home the
\nSudirman Cup after a 10-year interval.<\/p>\n
But Chinese interpreter Bao Tong, who also attended Friday's
\nconference, said the Chinese had no problems with the seeding.<\/p>\n
\"As the defending champion, we will fight it out to win the
\ngroup first. Four countries -- China, Denmark, South Korea and
\nIndonesia -- have big chances. But in a team event, it's
\ndifficult to predict,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Realistic<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indonesia's deputy team manager, Christian
\nHadinata, said the national squad must set a realistic target in
\nthe Sudirman Cup, due to its weak women's singles and doubles'
\nplayers.<\/p>\n
None of the women's singles and doubles shuttlers are expected
\nto win points for the Indonesian squad. Reflecting this
\npessimism, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) decided
\nnot to send women's coaches Liang Chiusia and Imelda Wigoena to
\nthe event.<\/p>\n
The decision was \"based on the reality and our limited funds\",
\nChristian said after arriving here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Cindana, Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Ellen Angelina have been
\nnamed the women's singles choices, while Deyana Lomban, Indarti
\nIssoliana, Carmelita, Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwanakotta will
\ncompete in the doubles.<\/p>\n
Another doubles specialist Elysa will arrive on May 13 to
\ncompete in the World Championships, which will follow the mixed
\nteam tournament from May 16 to May 23. Elysa is recovering from a
\nknee injury.<\/p>\n
Christian said Mia Audina's absence from the squad was
\nexpected to boost Cindana's fighting spirit.<\/p>\n
\"It's time for her to prove she can be our number one women's
\nshuttler. She's not Mia's shadow anymore,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mia declined an offer to join the squad after her mother died
\non April 28.<\/p>",
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