Olympic badminton team announced

Olympic badminton team announced

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia named 28
players to the national team yesterday to prepare for the Thomas
Cup, the Uber Cup and the Olympic Games.

Association chairman, Soerjadi, said during a birthday party
at his home that the association decided on the 16 male and 12
female shuttlers after three meetings held over the past two
weeks.

Soerjadi, who has chaired the association since 1993,
celebrated his 54th birthday yesterday along with players whose
birthdays were in January.

As anticipated, old faces dominate the Olympic and the world
team championship roster.

Joko Suprianto, Hariyanto Arbi, Ardy B. Wiranata, Alan
Budikusuma, Hermawan Susanto, Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky are
on the men's team.

Susi Susanti, Mia Audina, Finarsih, Lily Tampi and Minarti
Timur will form the backbone of the women's team.

Soerjadi said the association would not pressure the shuttlers
who are facing their toughest job ever.

"I just want you to retain the two gold medals Indonesia
achieved at the Barcelona Olympics four years ago," he said.

"We only have 135 days to go to the Thomas and Uber Cup
finals, and 40 days more to enter the Olympic Games," Soerjadi
told his troops.

"Let's use the time efficiently," he said. "Your coaches only
lead the way, the rest is up to you."

Joko and his team mates swept both team championship Thomas
Cup and Uber Cup trophies here last year. Susi and Alan brought
home two gold medals from Barcelona in 1992.

Soerjadi said that all Indonesians will watch their best
shuttlers during the Olympics. "The country relies on badminton
in the Olympics," he said. "They want us to recapture the singles
golds."

Badminton living legends Ferry Sonneville, Rudy Hartono and
Imelda Wiguna, also attended yesterday's party. (05)