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."