PBSI upbeat on Thomas Cup despite Tony's absence
PBSI upbeat on Thomas Cup despite Tony's absence
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia looks set to take on a demanding task in its bid to
defend the Thomas Cup men's championship title after Olympic gold
medalist Tony Gunawan rejected a call-up to rejoin the national
team.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has officially
accepted Tony's letter refusing to join the squad earlier this
week.
"Tony said that he wanted to pursue his academic career and
opted not to join the Thomas Cup team this time around. We have
to respect his decision," PBSI vice chairman for development and
international relations Indra Kartasasmita told reporters on
Wednesday.
"Tony's refusal indeed affected our strength but we have no
other choice but to take the risks."
Interviewed separately, Tony's Olympic-winning partner Candra
Wijaya and men's doubles coach Herry Imam Pierngadi told The
Jakarta Post that Tony's absence would call for a finer strategy
in the doubles matches.
"I must say Tony's decision has made our effort to defend the
Cup more complicated. It is such a pity that Tony decided not to
join the Thomas squad," said Candra.
"The strength is more or less equal between all participants
and there is no dominant power now."
Candra is pairing with Sigit Budiarto while Tony used to team
up with Halim Heryanto. They formed doubles pairs who dominated
world events.
Tony, who resigned from the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI)
last October, has not been available for interview for the past
few weeks.
Meanwhile, Herry said Tony would be leaving for the United
States on Jan. 19 to reunite with his lover, former national
shuttler Etty Tantri.
"Tony's decision not to join the Thomas Cup team forced us to
form a new pairing to replace Tony and Halim. We still have
veterans Bambang Suprianto and Tri Kusheryanto and second
stringer Nova Widhianto in addition to Halim," Herry told the
Post
"The problem is the pair will not be as strong as Tony and
Halim although their difference is insignificant."
Bambang and Tri usually play mixed doubles with Emma Ermawati
and Minarti Timur respectively.
"But Bambang and Tri managed to defeat Candra and Tony at the
Asian Championships in Manila. So, I will not be worried about
their strength," Herry said.
"For shuttlers like them, four months of preparation will be
enough to forge them into a stronger men's doubles pair."