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)