Badminton body looks to replace stricken Vita

Badminton body looks to replace stricken Vita

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
will likely substitute its women's doubles player, Vita Marissa,
three weeks prior to the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
Brunei Darussalam next month, due to illness.

Vita, who will partner Emma Ermawati in the biennial event,
had her appendix removed on Thursday morning and it is unlikely
she will be able to recover for the Games, which take place from
Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

Michael Triangto, the association's official doctor, said in a
telephone interview: "I was told this morning that Vita was
admitted to the hospital with appendicitis. She had surgery this
morning."

"I don't really know about her condition because I have been
in Semarang since Monday. But as a doctor, I assume she won't be
able to perform in the SEA Games. It is too soon."

Coach Imelda Wiguna declined to comment, saying only, "You
better ask Christian or Pak Siregar."

Head coach Christian Hadinata said he would be attending a
plenary meeting, chaired by vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah,
on Thursday evening to discuss on the matter.

"Vita is sick but we have yet to decide who will replace her
for the Games," he said.

Siregar was unavailable for comment as he was attending the
meeting.

Some players told The Jakarta Post and Kompas earlier that
Indarti Issoliana, who usually partners Carmelita, would likely
replace Vita.

"I don't think Indarti could compete in the event as she only
recovered from her illness last week. She just started to
practice on Monday," said a shuttler, who requested anonymity.

Cindana Hartono, Lydia Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Angelina and Yuli
Marfuah are listed for the singles event and Etty Tantri, Cynthia
Tuwankotta, Emma Ermawati and Vita Marissa in the doubles.

Indarti is scheduled to compete in the Singapore Open from
July 25 to July 29 and the Indonesia Open from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5
after the SEA Games.

"She will be very tired after the SEA Games and may not be
able to compete in both Grand Prix series," the anonymous
shuttler said.(yan)