Sudirman Cup rankings strike a sour note

By Primastuti Handayani

COPENHAGEN (JP): Officials from participating countries have expressed disappointment with the International Badminton Federation (IBF) ranking list for the Sudirman Cup here from May 10 to May 15.

Denmark head coach Kenneth Larsen said on Friday the ranking lists, based on individual points from IBF international circuits, did not reflect the real strengths of each country.

Due to the inaccurate ranking, each group contains two strong countries. In group A, host Denmark must face dark horse South Korea, which won the trophy in 1991 and 1993, on Monday. It will meet Sweden on May 12. Sweden will face Korea on May 11.

In Group B, the 1989 cup holder Indonesia will meet Malaysia on May 11 and challenge defending champion China on May 12. China will face Malaysia on Monday.

Larsen said: "It's crazy. The Swedes are ranked higher than the Koreans because the latter have not competed in many tournaments recently. Swedes, because they actively compete in international circuits, get more points."

"It's a problem for us because we must face Korea in the first day. Denmark should be in the same group with Sweden and Malaysia. While China is in the same group with Indonesia and South Korea."

Larsen added he could not pick the team's contender in the semifinals as Indonesia would meet China two days after Denmark's match against Korea.

However, Larsen said his team would try its best to win the group to reach the semifinals.

"There is no other way but to fight our best to win in the group."

Indonesia's deputy team manager Hadi Nasri, stated the same problem: "If people see the IBF ranking list, it's incorrect. Our players are not as strong anymore. The strongest category in our team is only the men's doubles."

However, Hadi warned other contenders to be vigilant in their games against Indonesia as his team aimed to bring back home the Sudirman Cup after a 10-year interval.

But Chinese interpreter Bao Tong, who also attended Friday's conference, said the Chinese had no problems with the seeding.

"As the defending champion, we will fight it out to win the group first. Four countries -- China, Denmark, South Korea and Indonesia -- have big chances. But in a team event, it's difficult to predict," he said.

Realistic

Meanwhile, Indonesia's deputy team manager, Christian Hadinata, said the national squad must set a realistic target in the Sudirman Cup, due to its weak women's singles and doubles' players.

None of the women's singles and doubles shuttlers are expected to win points for the Indonesian squad. Reflecting this pessimism, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) decided not to send women's coaches Liang Chiusia and Imelda Wigoena to the event.

The decision was "based on the reality and our limited funds", Christian said after arriving here on Friday.

Cindana, Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Ellen Angelina have been named the women's singles choices, while Deyana Lomban, Indarti Issoliana, Carmelita, Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwanakotta will compete in the doubles.

Another doubles specialist Elysa will arrive on May 13 to compete in the World Championships, which will follow the mixed team tournament from May 16 to May 23. Elysa is recovering from a knee injury.

Christian said Mia Audina's absence from the squad was expected to boost Cindana's fighting spirit.

"It's time for her to prove she can be our number one women's shuttler. She's not Mia's shadow anymore," he said.

Mia declined an offer to join the squad after her mother died on April 28.