China ready for full-scale attack at Indonesian Open

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)