Badminton body announces lineup for Sudirman Cup

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) broke its silence and unveiled the lineup for the Sudirman Cup, though it remained tight-lipped about the World Championships.

The association originally set a rather unambitious target for the Sudirman Cup, saying it would be happy just to make the semifinals, but later reversed course and announced it wanted to win the event. With this new lofty goal in mind, the PBSI will send its top shuttlers to compete in the biennial event from May 28 to June 10 at San Pablo Stadium in Seville, Spain.

The association announced men's singles shuttlers Taufik Hidayat, Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Budi Santoso, Ronny Agustinus and Johan Hadikusuma would take their places on the Sudirman Cup squad. But PBSI maintained its silence ahead of the May 14 deadline to register for the World Championships.

Coach Agus Dwi Santoso said Budi, Johan and Ronny had similar skills but the team required experienced shuttlers to overcome the pressure of such an important event.

"Budi and Ronny have team experience from the Southeast Asian Games, while Johan has never taken part in a team event before.

"Budi and Ronny, however, will only serve as substitutes because we still have Hendrawan and Taufik."

When asked if Hendrawan, who is preparing for Wednesday's US$170,000 Asia Cup men's team event in Singapore with Taufik, Candra and Sigit, would be physically ready for the Sudirman Cup, Agus said the Olympic silver medalist should have no problems.

"Physical trainer Paulus Pasurnay will go to Seville to maintain the shuttlers' fitness. So we don't have to worry about Hendrawan's condition."

Both Hendrawan and Taufik have been in poor form in this year's Grand Prix series, and will be using the Asia Cup as a final warm-up for the Sudirman Cup.

On the woman's side, the association's stable is rather empty leaving it with little choice but to field Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Yuli Marfuah in the women's singles.

Deyana Lomban, Indarti Issoliana, Etty Tantri and Vita Marissa will compete in the women's doubles, with Vita and Indarti also playing in the mixed doubles along with Minarti Timur, Tri Kusheryanto, Nova Widhianto and Bambang Supriyanto.

Indonesia will pull out the big guns in the men's doubles, with world number two Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, former world champions and Japan Open winners Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, and All England champions Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto.

Team manager Karsono will head the 18-strong team of officials, which also includes PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, deputy team manager Hadi Nazri, head coach Christian Hadinata, six coaches, medical doctor Michael Triangto, two masseurs and five other officials.

Indonesia reached the semifinals of the 1999 Sudirman Cup, which China won by defeating Denmark in the final. The victory was China's third-straight Cup triumph. (nvn)