China, Denmark pull out of junior c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): China and Denmark will not take part in the Bumiputera Jakarta Open junior badminton championships which start today at Senayan Sports Hall.

Organizer Leo Wiranata said yesterday China had said it would participate but had not sent its players.

"We have twice asked China to send its players, but so far it has not sent anyone," Leo was quoted by Antaraas saying.

Leo said Denmark withdrew because Indonesia said it was asking too much money for lodging costs.

"Denmark wanted Indonesia pay all the board and lodging costs and we could not agree to this," he said.

Leo said the absence of China and Denmark would not ruin the event because it would still be a strong competition.

"Indonesia also has to face rivals from South Korea and Malaysia as well as from European countries such as Judith van Mullendijks from the Netherlands," he said.

About 1,000 players from 24 countries will compete in the tournament for players under 18 years old. This is the eleventh time the tournament has been held. It is also the biggest.

Tong

Indonesia recently lost the services of Chinese coach Tong Sinfu who has returned to China after not being awarded Indonesian citizenship. Tong left on June 25.

For 12 years Tong has been a coach for the Indonesian men's badminton team and has accompanied the team to several international events.

Some of the players Tong trained were Alan Budikusuma, Hariyanto Arbi, Hendrawan, Indra Wijaya and Candra Wijaya.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia's Jakarta chapter, Karsono, said that after the Jakarta Open, another tournament would be held, the Asian Satellite.

The Asian Satellite will be for senior players and 29 shuttlers selected from training sessions.

"I want to make badminton popular because Indonesia has suffered several defeats in a number of international events," said Karsono, who is organizing the tournament.

He said Indonesian winners would get US$1,000 insurance money for one year and the winners of the doubles event $1,300 insurance money.

"If the winners are foreigners, we will not give insurance money but a cash prize instead," Karsono said (lnt)