`Mission impossible' in Sudirman Cup

`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.