Malaysia pulls out of Junior Indonesia Open
Malaysia pulls out of Junior Indonesia Open
By Novan Iman Santosa
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The Malaysian team of eight
shuttlers made a last-minute decision to withdraw from the
US$9,000 Milo Junior Indonesia Open here for reasons not yet
clear.
Earlier, 14 countries had decided to withdraw from the event
due to security concerns, following heated disputes between
President Abdurrahman Wahid and the House of Representatives over
the possibility of an impeachment process by the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR).
"I believe the Malaysian squad decided to withdraw due to
foreign media reports on our country's situation which might not
reflect the real situation," president director of PT Gematama
Kreasindo, the event's organizers, Minarni Soedarjanto told The
Jakarta Post.
The former member of Indonesia's squad in the 1960s also
regretted the fact that the Malaysian side failed to ask for
further information from the organizers or the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) about the actual situation here.
"Perhaps it is because Malaysia's men's singles consultant
Indra Wijaya is in Seville, Spain, for the Sudirman Cup and World
Badminton Championships and Malaysia doesn't have another
reliable contact person here," she said.
"It would have been a very interesting championship if
Malaysia and other countries could have been here. Let's hope
they will come next year."
Malaysia's withdrawal leaves Brunei Darussalam and Japan as
the only foreign squads competing at the event that is being
staged after a four-year absence.
The tournament itself will take place from Tuesday to
Saturday, preceded by qualifying rounds on Sunday and Monday.
Japan team manager, Takechika Kudo, told the Post that there
was some concern back home, but still the Nippon Badminton
Association (NBA) had sent its shuttlers here.
"Yes, we are concerned, but we always send our shuttlers to
Indonesia every year and we want to stick to that tradition.
Besides, the junior shuttlers need more playing experience," he
said.
"This event is also preparation for them before taking part in
the Asian Junior Championships in Taipei from July 18 to July
24."
Kudo, who is also the director of NBA, expected his shuttlers
to reach at least the quarterfinals in the event. Japan is
fielding two boys and two girls who will compete in all five
events.
Similar concern was also expressed by Brunei's coach Wahab
Mokhsin, saying he was prepared if there were any deterioration
in the security situation here.
"But we've been told that Surakarta is basically a peaceful
city and mass rioting is unlikely to happen here. But if it does,
we will leave because my shuttlers' safety is my priority," he
said.
Without so many hard-to-beat countries participating here,
Wahab hoped his shuttlers would perform well.
"I hope my boys can reach the last sixteen," he said.
Brunei will field two boys who will only participate in the
boy's singles and doubles.