Badminton elite for SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) defied the mounting calls that it allow younger players to don the national colors at the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as it announced on Tuesday a field of shuttlers who join the ranks of the regional elite in compete in the biennial event.
World champion Hendrawan and newly crowned 2001 Indonesian Open winner Marlev Mainkay were named the top men's singles choices, with Rony Agustinus serving as the third singles who will only play in the men's team event.
In the men's doubles, Candra Wijaya will team up with his old partner Sigit Budiarto. But due to the event's ruling that restricts a team to fielding only eight players of each gender, Indonesia chose Bambang Supriyanto, instead of Halim Haryanto, to form the second men's doubles team with Tony Gunawan.
Bambang will also play with Emma Ermawaty in the mixed doubles event. They won the Malaysian Open in July.
The last men's player was Nova Widhianto, who will partner with Vita Marissa in the mixed doubles event.
In the women's division, the PBSI has no other choice but to field Lidya Djaelawijaya and Cindana Hartono in the individual singles event. Yuli Marfuah was named to the team as the third singles player.
Deyana Lomban is paired with Vita in the women's doubles together with second-string pair of Eny Erlangga and Novita.
While ignoring young players for the SEA Games, the PBSI will field a team dominated by second stringers at the US$120,000 Singapore Open, which runs from Aug. 13 to Aug. 19.
Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat and Marlev will head the men's singles list which also includes Rony, Budi Santoso and Johan Hadikusuma and veteran Haryanto Arbi.
The PBSI will also send Asian junior champion Ardiansyah, his runner-up Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Wimpi Mahardi, Markis Kido and Anggun Nugroho.
In the women's singles, Lidya, Cindana and Yuli will carry Indonesia's hopes of winning the title. They will be accompanied by Atu Rosalina and Ninik Masrikah and youngster juniors Dewi Tira, Dian Novita and Silvi Antarini.
Indonesia will be banking on junior players in the men's doubles competition. The pairs of Alven Yulianto/Hendra Gunawan, Endra Mulyajaya/Luluk Hadiyanto and Ade Lukas/Andreas Setiawan will have to prove they can emulate their all-conquering seniors.
Deyana and Vita are the most senior shuttlers in the women's doubles. They will be accompanied by Rossi Riani and Diah Novita; Eny Erlangga and Novita; Ernita and Yunita Tety; and Endang Nursugianti and Lita Nurlita.
Indonesia will also send its shuttlers to the US$170,000 JVC Asian Badminton Championships from Aug. 20 to Aug. 26 in Manila. The event also serves as the final preparation for Indonesia before leaving for Malaysia.
Taufik Hidayat, Arif Rasidi and Haryanto Arbi have been named to play the men's singles while 2001 Indonesian Open champion Ellen Angelina and Atu have been registered in the women's singles.
A combination of young and senior players have been chosen to represent Indonesia in the men's doubles. World champions Tony and Halim Haryanto, and Indonesian Open winners Candra and Sigit will be accompanied by juniors Alven and Hendra and the second- string pairing of Ade and Andreas.
In the women's doubles, Deyana and Vita will participate in the Asian championship to allow them to tune up for the SEA Games. (nvn)