Indonesian shuttlers chasing Olympic slots
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian shuttlers are preparing to compete in the US$50,000 Thailand Open, with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) concerned about its athletes' chances of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics.
To be held from Jan. 20 to Jan. 25, the two-star Thailand tournament is one of those on the International Badminton Federation (IBF)'s calender that provides points for Olympic qualification.
Christian Hadinata, director of the national training center, said the tournament would provide an opportunity for the shuttlers to collect points to boost their chance of Olympic qualification.
"The players must get enough points to qualify. We'll know in April how many points are needed. Therefore, the PBSI will try to make the best of even the lower-grade competitions," Christian told The Jakarta Post here on Monday.
The PBSI will send about 25 players to Bangkok. Most of them are second-layer athletes from the Cipayung national training center.
"We could send them to higher-grade competitions, but they would have a slim chance of winning points," Christian said.
Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who won a gold medal at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam last December, is not among those shuttlers heading to Bangkok. The two-time Asian champion is preparing for the three-star Swiss Open in March.
Sony's absence will give his younger teammates Simon Santosa, Andre Kurniawan and Wiempie Mahardi the opportunity to prove themselves.
Also to be missing in Bangkok will be veteran pair Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian, who will take part in the US$80,000 Swiss Open as well as the US$125,000 All-England tournament.
The Korea Open and the Asian Championships are another two tournaments with Olympic points up for grabs.
The men's pair of Candra Wijaya/Halim Haryanto, who just returned from their victorious run in the Copenhagen Master at the end of December, are the only big-name players scheduled to play in Bangkok.
Christian said he expected Candra/Halim, as well as Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto and the women's doubles pair of Jo Novita/Lita Nurlita, to secure Olympic qualification points in Thailand.
Jo/Lita will be joined in Bangkok by the newly paired Lyliana Natsir/Rintan Aprilia.
Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan and Hendra Apriadi Gunawan/Joko Riyadi are among the young Indonesian pairs who have also been included on the team.
About Simon, who helped Indonesia win the team event at the SEA Games, Christian said: "It's a long way for Simon to qualify for the Olympics. However, he might still be able to make it."
Other Indonesians making the trip to Bangkok are Anggun Nugroho/Eny Widyowati, Mohammad Rizal/Nelli Triana and Titon Gustaman/Lelyana Daisy Chandra in the mixed doubles.
PBSI will not be sending any women's singles players to Thailand after their disappointing performance in Vietnam, Christian said.
"They will concentrate on their training at home before participating in any competitions," he said.