Observer fears for RI in All England championships
Observer fears for RI in All England championships
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best chance of a title in the All
England championships will be in the men's doubles, a badminton
observer said yesterday.
Icuk Sugiarto, the 1983 world champion, said yesterday that
only Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky are favorites to take a title
in the championships, which will take place in Birmingham,
England from March 13 to 17.
Ricky and Rexy defeated countrymen Antonius and Deny Kantono
15-12, 18-15, 15-8 in last year's final.
"In the other events in the All England tournament, especially
in the singles there are more people who can now beat our
players," he said.
Indonesia only brought home the men's doubles title last year.
Susi Susanti failed to reach the final in the women's singles.
She was defeated by Chinese-born Swede Lim Xiao Qing in the
semifinal.
"In the women's singles, I think Susi has a chance to reclaim
the title," Icuk said.
"However, I think she has to be backed up by our junior
shuttlers as much as possible to close the gap between the senior
players and the younger generation," he added.
Last year, Indonesia also failed to win the men's singles
title. Hariyanto Arbi had to give up to Danish Poul-Erik Hoyer in
the final 17-16, 15-6.
"In the men's singles, we should pay more attention to Chinese
players, as well as Danish and Malaysian players," Icuk said.
He said that in the mixed doubles, Indonesia's chances of
success will be reduced if Park Jo-bong of South Korea plays
again.
"Our team will have a chance to get to the quarterfinals, but
to win the title...I think it will be tougher if Park plays
again," he said.
Indonesia's women's doubles players Elisa and Rosiana Zelin
also failed to reach last year's final. They lost to Gil Young
and Jang Hye-ock of South Korea 6-15, 3-15.
Icuk pointed out that junior shuttlers have to be included in
the national team to get more experiences.
"I think we should include our juniors so they can get
international experience for the Uber and Thomas Cup
championships," he said.
"Without them, we won't have enough shuttlers in four or five
years time," he added.
Icuk said that many shuttlers who attend the national training
center in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, have been hitting top form and
then stagnating because the Badminton Association of Indonesia
won't field them.
"Many shuttlers have been kept in the center too long without
getting any international experience. By the time they have to
replace the seniors, they are too old," he added.
Icuk also expressed his hope that the association will
maximize the potential of the current players instead of
recruiting new ones. (05)