China's shuttlers to join Indonesia Open

China's shuttlers to join Indonesia Open

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

China has confirmed its participation in the US$170,000
Indonesia Open badminton championship next month, while defending
champion Taufik Hidayat expects a tough challenge from opponents.

The five-star tournament will be staged at the Bung Karno
Tennis Indoor Stadium from Dec. 15 to Dec. 19.

China is the only foreign team to have registered but
organizing committee chairman Sulistyanto said that he was
optimistic badminton giant countries such as South Korea,
Malaysia, Japan and Denmark would follow soon.

"China has confirmed that it will send its top players
including world number one Lin Dan," Sulistyanto, an official of
the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) in charge of
foreign affairs, said.

China dominated last year's tournament in Batam by winning
three of five titles -- women's singles, women's doubles and
men's doubles.

Indonesia and South Korea took one each, the men's singles and
mixed doubles, respectively.

Indonesian champion Taufik Hidayat, whose 2003 championship
was sealed in style by defeating a number of China's top players
en route to his title, said that it would be a mounting task to
accomplish when he goes on court to defend his title.

"It's more difficult to retain a title than wresting it from a
champion, especially in a tournament before home supporters who
have high expectations. But I will try to do my best," said
Taufik, whose badminton career peaked when he won an Olympic gold
in September.

The Indonesia Open, which had been rescheduled from June to
allow more time for the Thomas Cup arrangement in May, will be
the season-closing tournament after China Open and Singapore
Open, late November.

Icuk Sugiarto, PBSI's chief in charge of development affairs,
said that all Indonesian shuttlers at the training center would
play in the event.

"This is a good opportunity for our shuttlers to participate
in an international event at home. The shuttlers in good
condition will take part in this tournament," Icuk said.

However, men's doubles specialist Halim Haryanto will not be
among the local squad after he resigned from the training center
on Wednesday.

PBSI's secretary-general Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar confirmed
Halim's departure, saying that Halim had decided to quit in order
to join his wife, Jeanny Nathalia, in the United States.

Apart from Siregar's explanation, Halim's departure has most
likely stemmed from the fact that he and his partner Candra
Wijaya failed to qualify for the Olympics.

Men's doubles coach Christian Hadinata said that Halim had
already planned to resign since June, when he found out that he
had to bury his Olympic dream.

"He had to postpone his resignation plan until now, due to a
change in PBSI leadership, including coaching staff. The fact
that his wife is studying in the U.S. may have left him with no
options but to follow her," Christian said.

After Candra reunited with his former partner Sigit Budiarto
last month, Halim had to settle with his former partner Tri
Kusharjanto but the partnership did not prove successful.