Juniors tested in Bandung circuit

JAKARTA (JP): National junior shuttlers, joining the Indonesian Badminton Center, will have another test at the Samsung-SGS Cup in Bandung next week.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia's (PBSI) West Java chapter Lutfi Hamid, also the tournament organizers' chairman, announced at a media conference on Friday that all 22 juniors in the center would compete in the circuit series.

"PBSI's talent scouting team member Yacob Rusdianto will be in Bandung to observe their performance. It will be an indicator to decide on promotion and relegation," he said.

About 600 shuttlers will compete at the circuit, which will kick off on Aug. 1 and end on Aug. 5. PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia, the main sponsor, has covered almost 70 percent of the Rp 100 million (US$10,000) event offering Rp 15 million in prize money.

The most talented player in the boys and girls division will receive a special prize, though Lutfi declined to reveal what that would be.

"We really hope to nurture new talent in badminton who will be able to succeed their seniors like Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan, who have all won this tournament at some stage during their early career," Lutfi said.

The chapter will also hand over a special prize to Halim Heryanto, who won the World Championships men's doubles with Tony Gunawan and Taufik, semifinalist of the same event. (yan)