Jakartans sign support for Thomas/Uber Cup teams

Jakartans sign support for Thomas/Uber Cup teams

JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans flocked to the Senayan Main Stadium
ring road on Sunday morning to give support to national shuttlers
competing in the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cup Finals by signing
banners.

Nearly 2,000 signatures were collected on the banners which
will later be brought to the Padjadjaran Stadium in Bogor where
national shuttlers will have a warming up simulation prior to the
biennial event in Kuala Lumpur from May 11 to May 21.

The signing was initiated by the Olympic Games executive
training director, Arie Sudewo, who is also the vice chairman of
the National Sports Council (KONI), the state minister of youth
affairs and sports assistant, Darwam Siregar, KONI secretary-
general Rudolf S. Warouw, chairman of the Gelora Senayan
Executive Directors Yasidi Hambali and executive director of the
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Karsono.

The banners -- "Thomas Cup Belongs to Us" and "Grab Uber Cup"
-- were later handed over to five shuttlers attending the event;
men's singles world number two Hendrawan and number six Marlev
Mainaky, men's doubles Sigit Budiarto and women's singles Lidya
Djaelawidjaja and Yuli Marfuah.

Representing shuttlers, Hendrawan expressed great gratitude
from local badminton lovers saying the team would try its best to
retain the Thomas Cup for the 12th time.

"This is a great event for shuttlers to realize that national
badminton lovers are behind us during a very important event like
the Thomas and Uber Cup."

However, he expressed sadness on the absence of another 28
shuttlers in the event, which was staged by sports journalists.

"Shuttlers must be here today to know how many people are
relying on us to maintain our country's greatness in the
international world."

Women's doubles coach Imelda Wiguna shared the same idea.

"This event reminds me of my youth where so many people were
supporting us to win the Thomas and Uber Cups. I'm really
apologetic knowing only a few shuttlers are attending the event."

Arie said shuttlers would be able to retain the Thomas Cup and
bring home the Uber Cup as expected by badminton lovers.

"People have shown great enthusiasm. Please don't let them
down by not achieving your best at the event."

Spectators at the simulation in Bogor have a chance to sign
the banners. The banners will be later brought to Kuala Lumpur to
boost the teams' fighting spirit.

Speaking about his preparation for the Thomas Cup, Hendrawan
said he had a very limited time to prepare himself but he would
not give up in the event easily.

"As I always said, competing in a team event is completely
different from an individual event. Don't expect me to lose
easily in the Thomas Cup because I will fight my best."

Hendrawan, who will compete as the first singles, named Dane
Peter Gade Christensen, Malaysian Wong Choon Han and Chinese Xia
Xuanze as tough rivals.

"I have an equal chance against Peter but I must be very
careful against Xia because I have lost twice to him in the All
England and the Japan Open. I have never met Wong but I think
he's also a good player."

Even with injuries haunting Indonesia's preparation, the PBSI
is still optimistic to reach its goals.

"We have a great chance to retain the Thomas Cup. However, we
must be realistic on the slight opportunity to bring home the
Uber Cup but our shuttlers will definitely give their best," said
Karsono. (yan)