Hariyanto to play for Singapore

Hariyanto to play for Singapore

SINGAPORE (AFP): Two-time All-England badminton champion Hariyanto Arbi is considering playing for Singapore instead of Indonesia.

The 27-year-old Hariyanto, who is playing at the Singapore Open at the moment, said he was likely to resign from the Indonesian team after next week's Indonesian Open.

He will then evaluate his career options, with Singapore as one possible destination, the New Paper afternoon daily reported Saturday.

Hariyanto, nicknamed "Jumping Jack Flash" for his trademark leaping smash, said he had already received an unofficial offer to represent Taiwan but would prefer Singapore "because it's much closer to home."

He won back-to-back All-England titles in 1993 and 1994 and a year later was crowned world champion.

On Friday, the right-handed Hariyanto came from behind to oust Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock in the Singapore Open quarterfinals to cap a superb performance by the Indonesian team.

Arbi joined defending champion Hendrawan and Southeast Asian Games medalist Taufik Hidayat in the last four.