Davis Cup team 'to qualify' for Group I

JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti), Tanri Abeng, said on Thursday that he targeted the national Davis Cup team to qualify for Group I of the Asia Oceania Zone.

Tanri told reporters after visiting National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar that there had been no conflict between players, coaches and Pelti officials and all the squad members were highly motivated to win the Davis Cup tie.

The second round tie in Group II of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone will be played in Kuala Lumpur next month.

"We are targeting to qualify for Group I. The KONI chairman has reminded the players, coaches and Pelti officials to cooperate. He said Pelti should be proud because it represents the country in the competition," he said.

"The players are optimistic that they can overcome Malaysia," he added.

Tanri said Wismoyo had asked Pelti to prepare the national team for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"I told Pak Wismoyo that the Davis Cup team is a part of the preparation," he said.

Indonesia reached the second round after beating the Philippines 4-1 in Manila from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6. Indonesia meets Malaysia from April 7 to April 9. Malaysia reached the second round by crushing Iran 3-2.

The winner of the tie will face either Pakistan or Chinese Taipei.

Indonesia will deploy Febi Widhiyanto and Suwandi in the first and second singles and the veteran pair of Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo in the doubles event.

As of Thursday, Malaysia had not informed Pelti of its squad members.

Coach Deddy Prasetyo said the other pair of Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono would not compete in Kuala Lumpur.

"Edy has refused to play. He and Hendri say they will only be practice partners to Bonit and Sulistyo."

Deddy also said all the team members would have to adjust themselves to play in an indoor stadium as the match would take place in an indoor stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

"They have to adjust themselves to play under artificial lights. They are used to playing in sunlight in an outdoor court, so their eyes are not accustomed to indoor lighting," he said.

He also expressed confidence that the team could beat Malaysia.

"For me, the most important thing is to win the game. And we will. Even if we perform poorly, we can still beat Malaysia 3-2," he said. (ivy)