Hoyer-Larsen confirms place in World Cup

By Primastuti Handayani

NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer- Larsen has confirmed his participation in the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship in Jakarta this week.

"I hope I can play a little better there. I performed a good match against Budi Santoso of Indonesia but I played poorly against Alan (Budikusuma of Indonesia). I look forward to playing in Jakarta," Hoyer-Larsen told reporters after receiving the best male shuttler of the year award from the Hong Kong-based Star TV network yesterday.

Hoyer-Larsen did not initially agree to compete in the World Cup because he had planned to take part in the China Masters. But sponsorship problems forced the tournament to be delayed.

"That's why I'm now taking part in the World Cup. But I still have a small problem with my plane tickets. I have to go to London on Dec. 16 for a meeting on my moving to England," said the 31-year-old Dane, who is moving to London for tax reasons.

Hoyer-Larsen replaces Joko Suprianto of Indonesia, who was injured in his initial round-robin match against Chen Gang of China in the Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals in Denpasar, Bali.

Jeff Robson of the International Badminton Federation said that the federation has approved Hoyer-Larsen's sudden participation in the US$190,000 event.

But Iwan Setiawan, a Badminton Association of Indonesia official, regretted the decision and said that another Indonesian shuttler, either Indra Wijaya or Budi Santoso, should have been the one to replace Joko.

"Formerly, Indonesia was going to be represented by Joko, Alan and Haryanto Arby. Since Haryanto was injured, Jefer Rosobin is replacing him to keep the number of players at 16," he said.

"But because Joko was injured, we suggested Indra or Budi to the IBF but maybe for the sponsors' benefit, the body was urged to invite Hoyer-Larsen although he had not registered for the event," he added.

The organizers had printed publicity posters for the event featuring Hoyer-Larsen and Indonesia's young hope Mia Audina.

Meanwhile, Hoyer-Larsen and Chinese women's doubles Ge Fei/Gu Jun received the players of the year award from Star TV. They received the trophies from the previous winners, men's doubles Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia and Ye Zhaoying of China.

The criteria for the awards are skills, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and charisma.

Earlier yesterday, Justian Suhandinata, the federation's deputy chairman, told reporters that the federation is considering punishing all players, who withdraw up to seven days prior to a tournament.

"I give three alternative: they have to pay the fees, they cannot participate in several tournaments afterwards or their points should be reduced," Justian said.

"Most of the federation's members agree to give a US$100 fine but I think the amount is too small," he added.

Justian said that the final decision over the regulation will be made at the Association's General Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, in March during the All England championships.

He said that sudden withdrawals would reflect badly, not only as far as TV coverage is concerned but also for the host and organizers, the federation, sponsors and other players.

"If a player withdraws at the last minute, we have to re- arrange the draw," he said.

Justian said that players who have to pull out due to injury would also be punished.

"It'll ensure they keep paying attention to their own physical condition," he said.