Ardy and Meiluawati to complete badminton team
Ardy and Meiluawati to complete badminton team
JAKARTA (JP): Crack shuttler Ardy Wiranata and newcomer
Meiluawati look favored to complete the Indonesian teams for the
Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton championships in Hong Kong from
May 17 to May 26.
Indonesian manager Lutfi Hamid told reporters yesterday that
the two singles players had notched up satisfying records in a
number of tournaments and competitions which also serve as
national selection for the team championships.
"Both Ardy and Meiluawati are considered the strongest
candidates for the fourth singles places so far," Lutfi said
yesterday.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia will officially
announce the lineup of its Thomas Cup men's team and Uber Cup
women's squad at its headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta
later today.
But the latest world rankings issued by the International
Badminton Federation after the All England championships late in
March are probably the best guide to the starting lineup.
World number one Joko Suprianto, number three Hariyanto Arbi
and number four Alan Budikusuma are beyond doubt Indonesia's
singles choices for the Thomas Cup. World women's singles number
two Susi Susanti, 10th ranked Mia Audina and number 13 Yuliani
Sentosa top the nomination list for the Uber Cup.
Yesterday was the deadline for the 16 Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
finalists to send their team's lineups. A team may have a maximum
of 10 players, which forces selectors to think hard about the
appropriate combination of singles and doubles substitutes.
Each team will play three singles and two doubles matches.
Indonesia won both trophies in the last finals here two years
ago. It was Indonesia's ninth Thomas Cup win and second Uber Cup
triumph.
Meiluawati, who won the Polish Open in March, will make her
first cap in the Uber Cup if she is named for the national team
today. Her fellow junior players, Lidya Djaelawidjaja and
Cindana, are also bidding for the fourth singles place.
Ardy decided Indonesia's victory in the Thomas Cup final over
title holder Malaysia in 1994, beating Ong Ewe Hock in straight
sets to give his side an unbeatable 3-0 lead. (amd)