RP asks RI to defer Davis Cup to July
JAKARTA (JP): The Philippines has asked Indonesia to reschedule the Davis Cup Group II Asia Oceania zone semifinal to July for security reasons.
The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) deputy secretary general, Benny Mailili, told reporters Tuesday that Pelti has responded to the request, pledging that Indonesia would fully guarantee the Filipinos' safety from the time of their arrival until their departure.
"It will be difficult if we have to reschedule the match. Our players are reaching their peak form. If we must change the date, we will ruin their programs. Besides, we think that in July the situation in the capital will be more sensitive because we will just have conducted the general election," he said.
Last month the Philippines asked Pelti to move the venue to a neutral country for the same security reason.
Indonesia will stage its general election on June 7. This will be preceded by a nation-wide campaign of 48 parties in April.
Pelti held a plenary meeting Monday evening to discuss the matter and decided not to change the venue -- the rebound ace- surfaced Senayan indoor stadium -- and the date -- from April 2 to April 4.
Benny said about 70 foreign players from 20 countries were still competing in the Baskin Robbins Junior International Championships in the Kemayoran tennis center, Central Jakarta, without any major disruption.
Benny also said the Philippines did not have the power to force Indonesia to change the date and venue of the event.
"We are in a better position as a host. What if we move it to July and our country is more chaotic? I think that's their reason," he said.
Indonesia is preparing Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono for the event. They will likely meet Joseph Lizardo, Bryan Juinio and Michael Misa next month.
The Philippines has yet to name Cecil Mammit, a USA passport holder, in the team. Reports indicate that Mammit has asked for US$50,000 to play.
Coach Dedy Prasetyo said he did not want to move the venue because the Filipinos only had about two weeks to prepare themselves to play on the rebound ace court.
"They beat China Taipei in the first playoff last month on a plexi-pave surfaced court and they are playing in the Philippines Future tournaments for two weeks on the same courts. We will fool ourselves if we stage the event on plexi-pave," he said.
Dedy also said that Edy, who skipped the training for two days due to influenza, has been with the squad since Thursday.
If Indonesia beats the Philippines, it will meet the winner between Thailand and Iran in the final in September. (yan)