Japanese shuttlers see hot weather as problem

Japanese shuttlers see hot weather as problem

JAKARTA (JP): Japanese shuttlers will have to deal with
Indonesia's hot weather as they prepare for the A King Asia Cup
Championship tomorrow at the Senayan Tennis Indoor Stadium.

Koji Miya, Japan's team manager, said yesterday that his
players are trying to adapt to the weather here.

"In Japan, it's still winter and the temperature is only 10
degrees Celsius. But here is very hot and the temperature reaches
34 degrees," he complained in broken English.

Koji was not aware that the venue for the championship would
be air-conditioned.

"It's very good if the venue has air conditioner, it will help
us," he said after being informed him of the climate control.

However, the Japanese are not very optimistic about winning
the US$150,000 badminton tournament, which ends on Sunday.

"Indonesia, Malaysia and Korea are very strong. We're just
underdogs. The challenge is much bigger for us," he said.

Malaysia, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Hong Kong,
Japan, India and host Indonesia are participating in the event.

Japan will field Takahiro Suka, the country's number one
player, Yuzo Kubota, who ranks number eight in Japan, Takuya
Katayama and doubles Shinji Ohta and Takuya Takehana.

Japanese second best Fumihiko Machida passed on the tournament
in order to take part in three Grand Prix series; the Chinese
Taipei Open, Japan Open and Korean Open tournaments.

Koji said the Asia Cup, badminton's first biennial event for
men's teams, should help other Asian countries develop their
badminton potential.

"I hope by taking part in the Asia Cup other countries will be
able to improve their badminton quality. I want them not to be
far left behind the 'giant countries' in badminton," he said.

Koji, who was appointed team manager early January, said that
all team members who join the NTT Tokyo club are expected to take
part in the All England championships next month.

The organizing chairman, Karsono, added that India has yet to
send the names of its athletes, one day before the event is
scheduled to begin.

"They have confirmed their participation but we haven't
received their list of names," Karsono said.

India replaces China, which withdrew from the tournament due
to financial problems between players and officials.

Tournament director Minarni Sudaryanto said that the Asian
Badminton Confederation's secretary-general, Punch Gunalan of
Malaysia, might not attend the tournament due to illness.

The confederation's chairman, Tong Yun Kai of Hong Kong, has
confirmed that he will arrive on Feb. 21 to witness the
semifinals and finals matches, which are to be aired live by
private TV station SCTV.

Indonesia's best shuttlers, singles and doubles, will receive
a $5,000 bonus from sponsor PT Aqua Golden Mississippi. The best
shuttlers from other countries will also receive $5,000 bonus
from the company, promoter IMG said. (yan)