Mixed doubles veterans team up for Uber Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Mixed doubles specialists Minarti Timur and Zelin Resiana are the third doubles pairing for the Uber Cup women's team event, an official from the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said on Tuesday.

PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata also said men's doubles players Sigit Budiarto and Antonius Budi Irianto were called up for the Thomas Cup, the sport's most prestigious men's team event which is played simultaneously as the Uber Cup.

Minarti and Zelin were recruited after third doubles player Vita Marissa, who partners Emma Ermawati, was injured and to increase chances of Indonesia winning both cups, a feat it last achieved in 1996.

"Both Minarti and Zelin have lots of experience competing in team events such as the Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup. They both can be matched with other members of the team," Leo said.

The Uber Cup team comprises Lidya Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Angelina, Yuli Marfuah and Niniek Masrikah in singles, and doubles shuttlers Elysa Nathanael/Deyana Lomban, Etty Tantri/Cynthia Tuwankotta, plus Minarti/Zelin.

Zelin partnered Elysa on the 1998 team. Minarti last played on the team in 1990 in singles before she was banned for two years for using the banned stimulant ephedrine. She was named to the team in 1994 but PBSI replaced her with young starlet Mia Audina, who now plays for the Netherlands.

Leo said: "We only aim to reach our goal of bringing back home the Uber Cup for the fourth time. Therefore, we are picking the best shuttlers to fulfill our ambition."

Indonesia won the Uber Cup in 1975, 1994 and 1996. It lost to China in the 1998 final.

Speaking on the naming of Sigit, a former men's doubles world champion who was banned for a year in November 1998 after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone, Leo said the talented shuttler was able to partner every member of the team, including former partner Candra Wijaya.

"Due to Tony Gunawan's shoulder injury, PBSI considers Sigit should be part of the team to substitute if Tony is unable to partner Candra in a crucial match."

Sigit was on the 1998 team which defended its title and won its 11th title.

The Thomas Cup team consists of singles players Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Marlev Mainaky and Hariyanto Arbi, and doubles Candra, Tony, Ricky Subagja, Rexy Mainaky, Antonius Budi Irianto and Sigit.

Christian Hadinata will serve as the head coach, assisted by men's singles coaches Agus Dwi Santoso and Mulyo Handoyo, women's singles coaches Liang Chiusia and Retno Kustiyah, men's doubles coach Herry Imam Pierngadi, women's doubles coach Imelda Wiguna and physical trainers Tahir Djide and Ridwan Soemardjo.

PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo is the chef de mission while the announcement of the team manager is pending. Thomas and Uber cups and Olympic Games training director Sumaryono turned down an offer to be the team manager due to ill health.

Both teams will have a simulation on April 27 at the Padjadjaran Stadium Bogor before flying to Kuala Lumpur on May 7 to compete in the championships from May 11 to May 21. (yan)