China to compete in Indonesia Open

China to compete in Indonesia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Chinese badminton players are expected to
compete in the annual Indonesia Open in July after being absent
for the last three years.

Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary-general
Leo Chandra Wiranata said on Wednesday that executive secretary
of the Badminton Association of China Bao Tong had confirmed the
presence of Chinese players.

"Bao told me on Tuesday evening that China would send Sun Jun,
the 1999 world champion, and other shuttlers playing for England,
Thailand and Hong Kong. They have requested extra rooms and we
will fulfill their request ," he said, adding he still had no
idea of the number of extra rooms to be given to the Chinese
contingent.

China has not competed at the Indonesia Open since 1997 due to
security concerns. With the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney in
September, there remain four International Badminton Federation
(IBF) grand prix series tournaments: the three-star Thailand
Open, the five-star Indonesia Open, the three-star Singapore Open
and the five-star Malaysia Open.

"The perfect tournament for the Chinese to compete in is the
Indonesia Open if they want to improve their world rankings
before the closing date for the Olympic seeding," Leo said.

"The Malaysia Open is too close to the Olympics and I think
European countries will skip it."

Denmark, Sweden, England, Wales and the Netherlands have
confirmed their participation in the tournament at the Senayan
Tennis Indoor Stadium from July 19 to July 23.

World number one Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark and his
girlfriend Camilla Martin will participate in the tournament.

Defending champion Taufik Hidayat has said he would be
disappointed should Chinese shuttlers miss the event.

"The competition is not tough enough without Chinese players.
I know Peter Gade is the favorite but it will be different if the
Chinese compete," he said.

Leo also said he hoped that South Korean big names in men's
doubles would also play. World number two Kim Dong-moon and Ha
Tae-kwon and world number three Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung
are expected to challenge world number one Candra Wijaya and Tony
Gunawan of Indonesia at the event, in which Indonesia are
favorites. (yan)