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)