RI eyes badminton golds at Olympics
RI eyes badminton golds at Olympics
JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia voiced
its confidence in its players yesterday to bring home victories
from the world team championships and the Olympic Games.
Chairman of the association Soerjadi said during an Idul Fitri
gathering at the national team's home base in Cilangkap, East
Jakarta, that wins in both prestigious events were not beyond the
reach of Indonesian players.
"We have seen our rivals make tremendous improvements thus
far, but this should not demoralize us," Soerjadi said to
encourage his squad.
Indonesia will return to the Thomas Cup men's team and Uber
Cup women's team championships in Hong Kong next May as the
holder of both trophies. Also at stake at the Olympic Games in
Atlanta next July are its two gold badminton singles medals.
"Maintain your top form because there is only a short break
between the two major events," Soerjadi said.
Earlier this month, the association picked 16 male and 12
female shuttlers for the Cups and Olympics. As expected, old
faces like Joko Suprianto, Hariyanto Arbi, Susi Susanti and Mia
Audina dominate the Olympic and the world team championship
lineups.
The association will confirm the names of the players for both
the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup in early April.
At the same time, the International Badminton Federation will
announce the Olympic qualifiers. Only the world's best 16 in each
of the five divisions are eligible, with each country allowed to
field a maximum of three qualifiers.
A sports observer and former secretary-general of the
association, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said that Indonesia's
chances of retaining both trophies and Olympic gold medals looks
fair.
"My big worry is that the nation's top players tend to be
susceptible to injuries," Siregar said. Almost all of the
country's elite players suffered injuries last season. Uber Cup
heroine Mia was the last to recover and is scheduled to return to
badminton court in the Swedish Open next week.
Siregar urged the national coaches to examine their training
methods. "Overtraining could be the cause behind the series of
injuries, who knows?" he said.
National coach Indra Gunawan said earlier that world champion
Hariyanto and Olympic silver medalist Ardy Wiranata are the most
susceptible to injuries among his troops.
Siregar also asked the coaches to take a close look at
Indonesia's strongest contenders during the All England in
Birmingham from March 13 to March 17, the last qualifying event
for Atlanta.
A record of 358 players from 36 countries will take part in
the world's oldest badminton tournament. (amd)