RI shuttlers have chance to win the Cups
RI shuttlers have chance to win the Cups
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers have a 30 percent chance of
winning the coveted Thomas Cup and Uber Cup trophies for being as
hosts of the world team badminton championships finals, Vice
President Try Sutrisno believes.
"If only you manage to maintain your composure, you will clear
your way to capturing the trophies," Try said upon hosting a
lunch for the Indonesian Thomas and Uber Cup teams at his
residence on Jl. P. Diponegoro yesterday.
"I believe, anyway, that you know what you should do on the
court," Try added. All national shuttlers currently undergoing
the centralized training stint for the world team championships
attended the lunch.
Top officials of the Badminton Association of Indonesia
(PBSI), including chairman Soerjadi, were all in attendance as
well during an hour meeting with Try, the former two-time PBSI
president.
Try asked the players to build teamwork among themselves as
well as with their coaches and officials. "Keep in mind that you
are not competing in an individual event," Try said. Citing an
example, he insisted that training program should be arranged
within discussions involving players, coaches or officials.
Try, however, warned the players of overconfidence, which
could spoil their campaign. "Rival teams either from China, South
Korea or Europe have taken as close a look at you as you have
done at them," he said.
Save energy
The former chairman also urged the players to wisely save
their energy during their matches. "Never demonstrate acrobatic
strokes if they are not necessary," he stressed.
Indonesia has won the Thomas Cup for a record eight times, but
not reached the heights in the last decade. The country captured
its first ever Uber Cup title in 1975 at the Senayan indoor
stadium, the venue for the May 10-21 finals.
The badminton players have been billeted at the Jakarta Hilton
hotel since last Monday. They will move their regular workouts to
the indoor stadium on Tuesday in an attempt to adapt themselves
to the newly air-conditioned venue.
Fourth singles
Meanwhile, Alan Budikusuma's chances of making his third
appearance in the Thomas Cup grew slimmer as he was rated only
sixth in the latest world badminton rankings issued by the
International Badminton Federation (IBF) yesterday.
The Olympic gold medalist was two places behind Hermawan
Susanto, his rival in his race for the fourth singles place on
the "dream-team." World champion Joko Suprianto, Olympic silver
medalist Ardy Wiranata and All England champion Hariyanto Arbi,
who are assured of slots, were ranked first, second and third
respectively.
PBSI will announce the Indonesian Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
lineups today. It has indicated that the IBF rankings are not the
only standard for the decisions.
In the women's division, Susi Susanti preserved her lead and
became the only Indonesian to be included in the world's top 10.
China's Ye Zhaoying kept trailing in second spot, followed by
South Korea's Bang Soo-hyun. (amd)