Joko to compete in Japan Open for Thomas Cup selection

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's veteran shuttler Joko Suprianto will compete in the Japan Open tournament in Tokyo from Jan. 13 to Jan. 18.

National Badminton Center director Christian Hadinata said Friday that Joko's participation in the first part of the Grand Prix series was to see if he could still join the country's squad for the Thomas Cup championship in May.

"Joko is out of the IBF top 16, but the Japan Open will be a tryout for him and other senior shuttlers before they join the Thomas Cup squad," Christian said.

"We'll see how far Joko and the other veterans go and we'll give them a chance to prove themselves," he added.

The second test for old hands will be the All England championships in March in Birmingham, England.

"We'll announce 10 members of the Thomas Cup team and 10 for the Uber Cup team two months prior to the championships," Christian said.

The Thomas and Uber championships will take place in May in Hong Kong.

Christian said the main problem facing Indonesia was in the men's singles.

"We're still confused whether we want to field only the seniors, the juniors or a combination of both."

So far, Indonesia's juniors have yet to show their best form in international events, while the seniors could rely on their experience, but their physical condition was far from its peak two years ago.

Christian said Indonesia would not face any problems in the men's doubles because the country had two of the strongest doubles teams: Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto and Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky.

"We must be really careful in selecting both cup team members," he said.

The first part of the Grand Prix series was to be staged in Seoul next week, but due to the monetary crisis in South Korea, the country declined to stage the event.

Antara news agency named the players to compete in the Japan Open men's singles: Hariyanto Arbi, Indra Wijaya, Hendrawan, Joko Suprianto, Marlev Mainaky, Alan Budikusuma, Ardy B. Wiranata and Hermawan Susanto.

In the women's singles, Mia Audina, Cindana and Lydia Djaelawidjaja will try their best.

While Ricky Subagdja/Rexy Mainaky, Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto, Denny Kantono/Antonius and Eng Hian/Hermono will compete in the men's doubles, with Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina and Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur competing in the mixed doubles. (yan)