National shuttlers confirm entry in Grand Prix Finals
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world-rated shuttlers, including Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina, have confirmed their participation at the Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals in Denpasar, Bali, next week.
Sumarjono, the Badminton Association of Indonesia's executive director, said yesterday that none of the 16 national players who qualified for the Bali GP have withdrawn from the US$350,000 tournament, which is to be staged from Dec. 4 to Dec. 8.
Mia injured her leg during the Hong Kong Open championship in early October during a match against Ra Kyung-min of South Korea and women's doubles shuttler Eliza, who partners Zelin Resiana, was struck down with measles some weeks ago.
"They both have confirmed that they are ready to play in the tournament and have no physical problems at all," Sumarjono said.
The association has sent a letter to the International Badminton Federation, confirming the national shuttlers' participation.
Mia however is still undergoing physiotherapy with the association's doctor Prof. Chaehab.
"We are still monitoring their physical condition even though both shuttlers are in good shape," Sumarjono said.
Indonesia is to field defending champion Joko Suprianto, Olympic bronze medalist Susi Susanti, Mia and junior Meiluawati, four men's doubles, two women's duos and two mixed doubles.
Sumarjono said that Indonesia expects Joko to regain the title and will be able to overcome Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen and his Malaysian archrival Rashid Sidek.
Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky have the chance to take the title from their old rivals Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock of Malaysia.
"We are relying on Joko to regain his title in the men's singles. In other events, our shuttlers will have to be more aware of other countries' shuttlers," Sumarjono said.
Earlier this month, Joko said that he would fight tooth and nail to win the tournament, "especially because of the handsome prize money."
China's Ye Zhaoying, the 1995 Grand Prix winner in Singapore, will be Susi and Mia's toughest rival since Olympic gold medalist Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea is missing the tournament as it clashes with her wedding.
Rainmaster
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship, at the Senayan indoor stadium here from Dec. 11 to Dec. 18 announced that they plan to ask rainmasters to drive away rains in anticipation of leaking roofs.
The organizers learned their lesson from the Indonesia Open in Medan, North Sumatra, in August, where the final match had to be delayed for two hours due to the leaking roof of the stadium after heavy rain.
"The organizers have checked the Istora Senayan's roof and it is still leaking although we've tried our best to fix it," Karsono, the organizing committee chairman said before signing a contract with Eka Life insurance.
Eka Life is insuring all 64 participating players, 28 officials and 63 organizers, each for Rp 500 million (US$213,000).
Sulistyanto of Eka Life said that the amount is increasing by almost 100 percent, from Rp 40 billion last year to Rp 77.5 billion this year.
Mark Adams of IMG said that Hoyer-Larsen has withdrawn from the tournament without giving any reason.
Rudy Hartono of the BAI said that Indonesia's young hope Haryanto Arby, who is known for his jumping smashes, is still expected to take part.
"We're still waiting for the doctor's decision. But we won't field a player who is unprepared for such a big tournament," he said. (yan)