PBSI ensures security for Thomas, Uber Cup event

PBSI ensures security for Thomas, Uber Cup event

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Following the growing concern over security issues during the
final round of the Thomas and Uber Cup in Jakarta in May, the
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has assured everyone
that it would be safe for foreign participants.

"If they demand a guarantee (of safety), as the event
organizer we will see to it that they are safe," PBSI chairman
Chairul Tanjung told Antara after PBSI officially announced the
squad lineup for the Thomas/Uber Cup at the Cipayung training
center here on Thursday.

The Thomas Cup is the biennial men's badminton team
competition held every two years concurrently with its women's
version the Uber Cup.

Indonesia's men's squad has won the Thomas Cup five
consecutive times and will be looking for a sixth while their
female compatriots will be trying to retrieve the cup after they
last triumphed in 1996.

Unlike the previous edition, the next event has adopted a new
qualification format which enables each continent to have at
least one representative in the competition.

The Indonesian teams qualify as the defending champion in the
Thomas Cup and as the host in Uber Cup.

Other countries already assured of Thomas Cup berths include
New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, England, South Korea, Japan,
Malaysia, China, Thailand and United States.

Uber Cup qualifiers are Australia, Denmark, Germany,
Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, and
Canada.

China will defend its Uber Cup. However, China's participation
has been put into question following its statement over security.

Chairul admitted that security had been a crucial issue for
many of the participating countries, particularly because it will
be sandwiched between the elections of legislators and the
president. Historically, the country has experienced mass unrest
during elections.

However, he said that PBSI had not yet received any official
request from the International Badminton Federation (IBF), which
would ask PBSI to provide detailed precautionary measures during
the event.

"There was no such (official) request, except from some
countries, particularly China," he said. He added that as of four
months ago China had demanded the Thomas/Uber finals be moved
from Indonesia.

Chairul said that he would meet with the national police chief
to prepare the security measures.

"Because this is in the national interest, I believe the
national police and the Indonesian military (TNI) will do their
best to secure the event," he said.

The National Sports Council (KONI), which is responsible
oversees all the sports organizations, has also raised concern
about security.

KONI Chairman Agum Gumelar, who also attended the gathering,
promised to fully assist PBSI to ensure the safety of all fans
and players.

PBSI has released a tentative list made up of 12 players each
in Thomas Cup and Uber Cup. The number will be whittled down to
10 each.

Indonesian badminton squad

Thomas Cup: Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso,
Wiempie Mahardi Sidharta, Flandy Limpele, Eng Hian, Luluk
Hadiyanto, Alven Yulianto, Candra Wijaya, Halim Haryanto, Sigit
Budiarto, Tri Kusharjanto.

Uber Cup: Maria Kristin, Silvi Antarini, Adrianti Firdasari, Siti
Mahiroh, Fitria Firdaus, Fransisca Ratnasari, Jo Novita, Lita
Nurlita, Eny Erlangga, Lilyana Natsir, Greysia Polii, Heni
Budiman.