China ready for full-scale attack at Indonesian Open
JAKARTA (JP): After a four-year absence at the five-star Indonesian Open, the Chinese team is ready to make a clean sweep at the event by fielding its best shuttlers.
In contrast, the host, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), is still doubtful on whether it will stage the US$170,000 tournament slated for between July 25 and July 29 with regard to the heated domestic political situation.
"The Chinese team will consist of 39 shuttlers, eight coaches, one doctor and a secretary. I believe they are preparing a major onslaught after their absence over the last four years," PBSI secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata told reporters on Monday.
"The team has also asked PBSI to provide 21 rooms for accommodation from July 23 to July 30."
The shuttler list includes World Championship semifinalist Chen Hong, 2000 All England winner Xia Xuanze, Olympic champion Ji Xinpeng, juniors Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai on the men's side and world champion Gong Ruina, world number one Zhou Mi, 2000 Asian Badminton Championships winner Xie Xingfang and Olympic doubles champion Gao Ling in the women's team. Chinese head coach Li Yongbo will also be accompanying the entourage set to visit Indonesia.
Leo said it was quite unusual that China had announced its players long before the July 10 deadline for entry form.
"It is still possible for them to change the list but they still have plenty of time to do so," he said.
"PBSI has also received registration from several other countries that will field their best badminton players. We are still waiting for entries from other badminton powerhouses such as Denmark, Malaysia and South Korea."
England has confirmed its participation and plans to field Colin Haughton and Julia Mann while Chinese Taipei will rely on its Indonesian-born shuttler Fung Permadi and Thailand is fielding, among others, Boonsak Polsana.
Leo said with the planned special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to take place on Aug. 1 -- in which many observers fear violent rallies prior to and during the session -- title sponsor Sanyo, a Japanese giant electronic manufacturer, has asked PBSI to consider all possibilities related to the event in terms of time and place.
"The sponsor did not ask to cancel the event but requested a thorough examination of all available options. We will have the meeting on Tuesday," he said.
"We could stage the event in another city that is relatively safe and less risky from current political tension or postpone it to November, one week before the start of the Muslim fasting month, known as Ramadhan."
"The international schedule is already very tight and we have little space left for the Indonesian Open if we still want to hold it this year."
Leo said there had been no decision taken yet on whether the event was to be canceled or not.
He also said that the International Badminton Federation (IBF) has already taken the Singapore Open off the schedule to allow the 2000 Grand Prix Finals slated on Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 to take place.
"There will be the Asian Badminton Championships from Aug. 20 to Aug. 26 in the Philippines followed by the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 in Kuala Lumpur," he said.
"The main circuit in Asia will be concluded by the China Open from Sept. 25 to Sept. 30 followed by the European circuit comprising the German Open, Dutch Open and Danish Open in October." (nvn)