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.