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.