PBSI arranges more outings for second stringers
PBSI arranges more outings for second stringers
JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the US$30,000 Hong Kong Open
badminton championships have invited four Indonesian shuttlers to
take part in the event and have promised to cover all their
expenses during the competition, which will run from Wednesday
through Sunday.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has registered
young shuttlers Ardiansyah and Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the men's
singles and Dewi Tira in the women's singles. The fourth
shuttler, Silvi Antarini, resigned due to poor health.
"The event was not part of our agenda, to some extent because
we were busy with the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games. Another reason was the event is only rated as a one-star
one," PBSI's secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata told
reporters on Monday.
In its letter dated Sept. 13, the event's organizers requested
the PBSI to send its shuttlers to the tournament.
Leo also announced plans by the PBSI to send more of its
second-stringers and young shuttlers, especially doubles
specialists, to badminton events included in the Grand Prix
series.
Second string men's singles Rony Agustinus and Johan
Hadikusuma will accompany veteran Haryanto Arbi to the German
Open to be held from Oct. 2 to Oct. 7. No women's singles players
are included in the team after the withdrawal of Atu Rosalina and
Chindana Hartono.
Junior doubles player Luluk Hadiyanto will team up with world-
class teammate Halim Heryanto for the German outing, in addition
to new faces Alven Yulianto and Hendra Gunawan.
Indonesia's strongest women's doubles pair of Deyana Lomban
and Vita Marissa will add to the list, alongside their junior
teammates Eny Erlangga and Jo Novita.
Vita will also play in the mixed doubles with Nova Widhianto,
while Alven will pair Eny, and Hendra teams up with Jo.
In the following week, the PBSI will parade a bigger team that
includes veteran players at the $75,000 Dutch Open to be held
from Oct. 9 to Oct. 14.
Among the additional shuttlers are Indonesia's current top
female player Lidya Djaelawidjaya and her bridesmaid Atu
Rosalina.
There will be a slight change in the men's doubles entries,
with the inclusion of old hand Tri Kusheryanto who will partner
Nova in the men's doubles event.
Tri will also play in the mixed doubles with his fellow senior
Emma Ermawati.
A star-studded pack will represent Indonesia at the $250,000
Danish Open, scheduled to take place from Oct. 16 until Oct. 21.
Trying to put the failure in the men's singles event at the
Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games behind it, the PBSI
has registered world champion Hendrawan, Indonesian Open winner
Marlev Mainaky and Singapore Open winner Taufik Hidayat for
Copenhagen, alongside Rony and Johan.
Falling short of potential talents in the women's singles
event, PBSI will resort to Lidya and Atu.
Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto are tipped as the favorites
to take the men's doubles title at the Danish Open, apart from
dark horses Tri and Bambang Suprianto. Second string pairs of
Alven and Hendra as well as Halim and Luluk will be given a shot
at the high profile event. (nvn)