Top shuttlers in easy group at National C'ships<\/p>\n
By Novan Iman Santosa<\/p>\n
BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Top seeds will face weak
\ncompetition during round-robin matches, following the group draw
\nfor the Inter-club National Badminton Championships commencing on
\nTuesday at the Hasanuddin Sports Hall.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Djarum Kudus is in group H with unseeded
\nteams Kusuma Kendari and Tirta Barito, while tournament favorite
\nJaya Raya is in group A with Keshab and Rajawali.<\/p>\n
Djarum Kudus -- which has several national shuttlers,
\nincluding singles players Johan Hadikusuma and Budi Santoso, and
\ndoubles specialists Sigit Budiarto and Antonius -- will play its
\nfirst match against Kusuma Kendari.<\/p>\n
Jaya Raya -- strengthened by Olympic gold medalists Candra
\nWijaya and Tony Gunawan -- will be challenged by Keshab.<\/p>\n
"We still won't find tough rivals in the round-robin
\nmatches ... but we must be prepared for the quarterfinals as we
\ndefinitely will meet good clubs which are probably boosted by my
\ncolleagues at the Indonesian Badminton Center," the newly-wed
\nCandra said after an official training session at the hall.<\/p>\n
Another favorite Tangkas -- which has Olympic silver medalist
\nHendrawan on its side -- will meet Malindo in a Group F duel.<\/p>\n
Hendrawan declined to comment on his team's chances, as he
\nremains the substitute for Marlev Mainaky in the men's singles.
\nBut he did provide some comment on the hot weather.<\/p>\n
"It's really hot here, especially when we are competing," said
\nHendrawan, who also married recently, tying the knot early this
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The Hasanuddin hall is not equipped with air conditioners,
\nmaking conditions inside extremely hot.<\/p>\n
Bandung-based SGS -- with teen-idol Taufik Hidayat, world
\nnumber two, in its squad -- will face Bima of Surabaya.<\/p>\n
SGS owner Lutfi Hamid, who is also chairman of the PBSI West
\nJava chapter, said he hoped his players could top the group in
\nthe round-robin series.<\/p>\n
"Let's not talk about our chances because we haven't even
\nstarted yet. Let's see how the players do tomorrow. I just hope
\nSGS players can qualify for the quarterfinals, as it's quite easy
\nin the round-robin."<\/p>\n
Winners of the eight groups in the round-robin matches will
\nqualify for Friday's quarterfinals. Four winning teams will
\ncompete in the semifinals which take place later in the evening.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, with only one day before the championships begin,
\nthe organizing committee is still arguing with South Korea-based
\nelectronics giant PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia over a
\nsponsorship deal.<\/p>\n
The organizers prohibited the company from putting Samsung
\nsignage beside the courts, claiming that it was not part of the
\ndeal.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Board of
\nAdvisers deputy chairman Soehendarto said that it was merely a
\nmisunderstanding.<\/p>\n
"After the welcoming ceremony, the board members, PBSI
\nofficials, Samsung representatives and the organizers will meet
\nto discuss the matter," he said.<\/p>\n
Local organizers objected to the official name of Samsung
\nNational Badminton Championships as agreed by PBSI, as they have
\nalso raised considerable funds from local business people.<\/p>\n
Soehendarto said PBSI appreciated the organizer's efforts in
\ncollecting Rp 500 million (US$52,650) in funding to help finance
\nthe championships, in addition to the financial assistance
\nprovided by PBSI totaling Rp 220 million.<\/p>\n
He said PBSI, Samsung and the organizers' official in charge
\nof fundraising, Irwan Gonadi, had approved the sponsorship deal
\nwith Samsung, which financed the live broadcast through RCTI and
\nprovided cash prizes for the winners.<\/p>\n
"So far, we don't know how much is being provided by Samsung
\nbut the money will be used to boost the sport's development,
\nespecially South Kalimantan, and finance the live broadcast."<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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