RI shuttlers might be ill prepared for Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Badminton legend Rudy Hartono has expressed concern over the preparation of Indonesia's shuttlers, still on a national tour to celebrate recent Thomas and Uber victories, for the upcoming Asia Cup in China next week.

"I fear that our players are still in a celebratory mood after winning both the Thomas and Uber Cups last month," Rudy said here Wednesday.

Instead of practising, the Indonesian teams are still caught in the middle of the celebration tour. They are currently in Sulawesi after an extensive trip through Jakarta, Central and West Java.

The tour obliges the shuttlers to parade on the streets while being surrounded by thousands of fans virtually all day long.

During this safari the athletes must also attend ceremonies held by municipal authorities to receive various gifts and cash bonuses.

Indonesia had not won both of badminton's most prestigious team championships in almost 20 years. The country held both prizes in 1976.

Susi Susanti, Indonesia's and the world's number one player, has already stated that she will not participate in the Asian Cup due to fatigue.

Indonesia plans to partake in that event by fielding players including Joko Supriyanto and Hariyanto Arbi for men's singles, Rexy Mainaky/Ricky Subagja and Denny Kantono/Antonious in the men's doubles and Yuni Kartika in the women's singles.

Rudy -an eight-time All England champion who is now an official of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) - however, acknowledged that the Asian Cup is not yet regarded as a a major badminton event.

"The Cup is a new event and never before held prior to the Beijing meeting," he said.

He added that only next year, after the introduction of a new ranking system for badminton, will this event carry more weight.

"Next year our players must participate in as many events as possible to gain more points and higher rankings," the badminton great stressed.

The Indonesian contenders are scheduled to leave for Beijing on June 11.

SCTV, the private television station based in Surabaya, East Java, has announced that it will broadcast the final of the event live on June 18. (hdj)