`Mission impossible' in Sudirman Cup

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) conceded that it would be next to impossible for the national team to take the Sudirman Cup, but asked team members not to lose their grit when playing in the mixed-event tournament.

"I know this will be like mission impossible, but they must have a strong desire to bring home the Sudirman trophy," PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung said here on Wednesday.

"This nation needs an achievement like that to boost our pride. This nation needs new heroes," he said, in his effort to instill motivation in the team.

Chairul led the team in a farewell meeting with the newly elected chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), Agum Gumelar, prior to their departure to the Netherlands on Saturday.

The Sudirman Cup will run in Eindhoven from March 18 to March 23.

Indonesia will send 18 players to launch its bid to equal the feat it mastered in 1989, its only triumph to date in the championship.

Despite sending the All England's doubles champions of Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, Indonesia's chances have been written off given the recent poor performance in the women's field.

However, Agum, who is also the minister of transportation, tried not to miss a chance at motivating the players to do their utmost in the tournament.

"Wake up and do your best. I'm definitely sure you can seize the Sudirman Cup," he told the players.

The matches are scheduled to start on March 18, but Indonesia's first match will be the next day against England, which, as Agum said, could be decisive in Indonesia's next move.

Indonesia and England are in Group 1B with Denmark, while Group 1A sees champion China, South Korea and Thailand.

The team's chief de mission, Karsono, looked equally optimistic, saying: "We're ready to fight. We can bring home the Sudirman Cup."

Since 1989 when Indonesia grabbed the first Sudirman Cup, which was named after the country's most distinguished badminton player, the national players have failed to repeat the victory. The national team's next best performance came when it reached the finals four times, only to lose out to South Korea and China, twice apiece.