RP asks RI to defer Davis Cup to July
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)