Badminton elite for SEA Games
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)