Injuries haunt RI's Thomas, Uber Cups teams
Injuries haunt RI's Thomas, Uber Cups teams
JAKARTA (JP): Illness and injury have cast a shadow over
Indonesia's bid to retain the Thomas and Uber Cups, the team
doctor said yesterday.
Michael Trianto, the Badminton Association of Indonesia's
doctor, said the team's chances of success in the competition, to
be held in Hong Kong from May 15 to May 24, had been jeopardized.
"I think our team this year is not as physically fit as the
team which won the Cup double two years ago," Trianto said while
accompanying the country's badminton squad to a routine medical
check-up at the National Sports Council office.
"Now, with only a few weeks remaining before the competition
begins, the players need extra treatment to regain top form," he
added.
He said some of the players were prone to influenza, sore
throats and exhaustion, while others were suffering from chronic
injuries.
"That indicates a lack of regular physical exercise. The
players should be used to strenuous activities and have
sufficient stamina to cope," he said.
"We can't play down the significance of the health problems
because they can strike at any time and will hamper players'
performance during matches."
He refused to reveal the players in question, saying that a
doctor was bound by oath to maintaining medical confidentiality.
Although not mentioning him by name, it was clear that the
doctor was most concerned over the fitness of first-choice men's
singles player Hariyanto Arbi.
Former world champion Hariyanto recently left hospital after
receiving treatment for low potassium levels in his blood.
Hariyanto complained of extreme exhaustion and numbness in his
arms and fingers after a three-set defeat in a practice match on
Friday.
Trianto said laboratory tests and an examination had revealed
no serious problem.
"The results of the medial tests were a relief, but we have to
closely monitor his potassium level, nutrition and activity,"
Trianto said, adding that Hariyanto also needed encouragement to
recover.
"Our hardest job is to make him feel that he is healthy in the
run up to the Thomas and Uber Cups," he said.
Hariyanto, who was a member of Indonesia's triumphant Thomas
Cup teams in 1994 and 1996, is the most experienced singles
player in the squad.
The national badminton body is expected to announce the team
for the competition tomorrow. The team is scheduled to leave for
Hong Kong on May 11.
The Indonesian women's team will start its defense of the Uber
Cup by playing its first match against England on May 15, while
its male counterpart will meet the Netherlands in their Thomas
Cup opener May 16. (emf)