Ex-champ Icuk wants to see Mia win Indonesia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best hope, Mia Audina, will end her title drought in the US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open Badminton Championships, after her chief rivals have opted out, former world champion Icuk Sugiarto has predicted.

"It's the right time for Mia to win the annual event, thanks to the absence of several top players," Icuk said on Wednesday.

Defending women's singles champion Susi Susanti has withdrawn because she is pregnant, and Denmark's world number three Camilla Martin was forced out due to "administrative mistakes".

Chinese shuttlers have yet to confirm their participation at the event, which will take place at the Senayan Indoor Stadium from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.

Last year, China skipped the tournament after its shuttlers failed to get visas to enter the country.

Mia has been criticized for her poor form this season. Her trainers speculated that her relationship with boyfriend Tylio Lobman and her mother's illness have lessened her concentration.

"Mia won't see tough rivals in the event," said Icuk, who is also the Badminton Association of Indonesia's deputy chief in charge of talent scouting.

In a related development, tournament director Juniarto Suhandinata said that the organizers considered delaying the deadline for registration until Tuesday.

He said the list of players would be given to the International Badminton Federation before the draw is conducted.

Icuk blamed Indonesia's political situation as the main factor preventing other countries from sending their athletes.

"Consequently, the standard of the tournament will be no better than a national championship. Some participating players could be worse than our juniors," he said.

Shuttlers from Denmark, Poland, Malaysia, Nigeria, Brunei and England have confirmed their participation.

England will feature men's singles Mark Constables and the men's doubles team of Jan Pearson and John Quinn.

Following the cancellation of Denmark's top singles players, the only Dutch player to have registered her entry is Judith Meulendijks, and the Singaporean team has pulled out of the week- long tournament. (yan)