PBSI regrets IBF decision on GP Finals
JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said it regretted the International Badminton Federation (IBF)'s decision to postpone the 2000 World Grand Prix Finals, which were due to be held in Brunei starting on March 28.
"PBSI will not file a protest with the IBF but we deeply regret the cancellation because it creates a poor image for world badminton," PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata said on Monday.
"I wonder how the badminton world body could make such a mistake. But perhaps the postponement was because of a lack of sponsorship."
IBF announced last week that it was delaying the event. It said the action was being taken because "a number of key elements are not in place, the short time left to make the final preparations and on the advice of the Brunei Badminton Association".
The tournament was successfully held in Brunei in 1999 and 2000, and is unlikely to take place until August at the earliest, the IBF said.
"The 2000 event should have been held last November but the host delayed it until February because of sponsorship problems before delaying it again to March," said Leo.
"The organizers said the sponsors were still in doubt when it announced the first postponement. IBF is likely to fine the Brunei Badminton Association US$1,5000 because of the delay."
Leo also said Indonesia was ready to organize the tournament, but not to finance it.
"PBSI is ready to hold it here if IBF asks. But we are in no position to be responsible for the financial matters. We would need some $400,000 to cover transportation and lodging for athletes, tournament officials and IBF officials, as well as the prize money.
"It is also quite strange that IBF has yet to announce a new host considering the continuous delays," Leo said.
He also said the 2001 Grand Prix Final would be held in December, but the venue had yet to be decided.
Swiss Open
After a disappointing performance in the All England, Roslin Hashim of Malaysia managed to end his three-year title drought by winning the Swiss Open.
Roslin defeated Lee Tsuen Seng 1-7, 7-4, 7-4, 7-0 in an all- Malaysian final.
Malaysia had not won a Grand Prix title since Yong Hock Kin bagged the Indonesia Open crown back in 1998. Runner-up Lee proved the giant killer of this four-star tournament, ousting three seeds -- Colin Haughton, Richard Vaughan and Taufik Hidayat -- along the way, as reported by www.swissopen.com.
China's Pi Hongyan emerged victorious in the women's singles event, enjoying an easy 7-2, 7-1, 7-5 win over Xu Huaiwen, representing Germany, to claim her second ever Grand Prix title, her first being at the US Open in 1999.
The top seeded Danish duo of Helene Kirkegaard and Rikke Olsen proved no match for South Korea's new partnership of Ra Kyung-min and Lee Kyung-won in the women's doubles, with the Danes losing in four games 7-3, 8-6, 2-7, 7-4.
In fact, none of the top seeds walked away with a title -- Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen lost to Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen 4-7, 7-2, 1-7, 7-1, 7-3 in the men's doubles final, and Sogaard failed to make it two titles with Rikke Olsen in the mixed event.
They lost to second seeded compatriots Jens Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager 7-4, 2-7, 7-5, 7-2, who claimed their first ever Grand Prix title together. (nvn)