RI confident ahead of Thomas, Uber Cups

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian teams are convinced they are ready to retain the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton championships in Hong Kong from May 15 to May 24.

Barcelona Olympics gold medalist Susi Susanti, the women's first single player, said that this year the team's preparation were better and more solid than ever before.

"The five-month preparations were sufficient training and included physical, technical and mental preparation", Susi said.

The 1993 world champion Joko Suprianto, who will serve as the reserve singles due to his career ranking being only 26, said the shuttlers had not performed as well as they could recently but still had strong motivation for the approaching tournaments.

Badminton Association of Indonesia chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo was of the same opinion as Joko.

"The Japan Open and All England are not comparable to the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup," he said.

Subagyo believed the shuttlers wanted to perform at their best to retain the trophies, adding that the motivation to win could be seen from the latest evaluations.

"We evaluate their performances during four simulation matches and the daily exercises in the training center and have observed they are still strong teams," he said.

The first and second simulation matches were held in Bali while the third was at the Senayan indoor stadium. The last match was in the association's training center.

Indonesia's contingent consists of 20 shuttlers and 17 officials. They are scheduled to depart on Monday, Subagyo said.

Subagyo and the contingent paid courtesy calls on State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono and the National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar at their respective offices yesterday.

Both Agung and Wismoyo asked the shuttlers to perform at their best for their country's sake.

"Imagine as if you're heading into battle and all you have to do is survive and win," Wismoyo said.

Agung said that the shuttlers were still young and motivated and there was no doubt they could be trusted to maintain the country's honor.

"They will fight all out, I believe for the prestigious trophies, nothing else," he said, rejecting the impression that shuttlers were only motivated as long as there were bonuses.

"Rewards are given because they deserve to get them, it's all right," Agung said.

Last week the association announced that cash rewards totaling Rp 1.5 billion (US$187,500) would be given to the players if they manage to retain both trophies and less if only one cup is brought back. (emf)

Thomas Cup: Hariyanto Arbi, Hendrawan, Marlev Mainaky, Indra Wijaya, Joko Suprianto (singles), Chandra Wijaya, Sigit Budiarto, Ricky Subagja, Rexy Mainaky and Tony Gunawan (doubles).

Uber Cup: Susi Susanti, Mia Audina, Meulawati, Ellen Angelina, Chindana (singles), Elisa, Zelin Resiana, Deyana Lomban, Indarti Isolina and Finarsih (doubles).