Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connection

Dutch juniors have an Indonesian connection

Moch N. Kurniawan
The Jakarta Post/Denpasar

Spectators at the Milo Junior Championships could be forgiven
for assuming that Lisa Malaihollo is a local player, or perhaps
part of the diaspora of Indonesian players to more lucrative
training spots around the world.

"I was born in the Netherlands, but my father Patrick
Malaihollo is an Indonesian who became a Dutch citizen, while my
mother Ciska is from Suriname," she said.

Still developing her game, the 18 year old beat local hopeful
Purwaningsih on Monday, but lost in the second round against
Kurniawan Sylvina of Djarum Kudus.

Unlike other foreign players, she had a vocal support section
of Indonesian relatives, including her visiting parents, in the
stands.

She is not the only "Indonesia related" player on the Dutch
squad; Yvonne Sie's parents are Indonesian-born Dutch citizens.

Her father came from Kediri while her mother is from Surabaya,
both in East Java.

Seeded 5/8, Yvonne was upset in the first round on Monday,
apparently put off her game by the strong draft at Tembau Sports
Hall.

Despite their losses in Denpasar, both players have big dreams
for the future.

"I want to win the Olympic Games," said Lisa, who was
introduced to the game at the age of four by her father.

"I want the world championship and to play in the Uber Cup for
the Netherlands," Yvonne said, referring to the women's team
championship.

Lisa and Yvonne have grabbed a big share of the junior titles
in their homeland. Lisa won the girls' doubles junior
championship, was runner-up in the U-17 singles and also the
girls' U-19 singles.

Yvonne won the girls' U-13 singles junior championship and, at
the age of 15 last year, triumphed in the U-19 singles nationals.

Both teenagers enjoy the experience of playing in Asia.

"We always play in Europe, like in Denmark, the Netherlands
and England, but there aren't many chance to go to Asia. We know
Asian badminton is much better than Europe," said Lisa.

Yvonne was not dismayed despite falling at the first hurdle.

"I can do better in the future," she said.

Many other Indonesians have chosen to play for foreign teams,
including Mia Audina, who now represents the Netherlands after
marrying a Dutchman.

The girls demurred when asked if they would consider doing the
opposite by playing for this country's lowly ranked women's
squad.

"We live in the Netherlands and the situation there is better
than in Indonesia," Lisa said.