Surya dominates table tennis All Star

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Surya Kediri of East Java proved its domination in table tennis nationwide by sweeping three of four titles at the All Star match at Ngurah Rai Stadium on Saturday.

Women's doubles Yulianti Fauziah and Putri Hasibuan managed to oust teammates Christine Feliana and Nilasari in the final 11-21, 22-20, 22-20.

Santi and Ratna of Surya and Rossy Dipoyanti and Nuni Sugiani of Gani Arta Bandung jointly finished third after losing in the semifinals.

The winner earned Rp 3 million (US$316) while the runner-up received Rp 1.5 million. Third finishers got Rp 750,000 each.

Surya also earned the top spot in the women's singles after Christine managed to defeat veteran teammate Putri 21-11, 18-21, 21-16 in a very tough match to earn Rp 3 million. Putri bagged Rp 1.5 million while Nilasari and Nuni, third finishers, pocketed Rp 750,000.

Deddy Da Costa presented the third victory for Surya after comfortably eliminating veteran and former national champion Hadiyudo Prayitno of HCIYS-Supralon of Surabaya 21-13, 21-18. Deddy pocketed Rp 8 million and Hadiyudo brought home Rp 4 million. Yon Margiono of Surya and Ismu Harinto of Gani Arta jointly finished third and each earned Rp 1 million.

HCIYS-Supralon took the men's doubles title thanks to Ersan and Hadiyudo who managed to beat Zaenudin and David Yacob of Palma Jakarta 22-20, 21-10. The winner took Rp 5 million while runner-up got RP 2 million. Third finishers of Budiono and Jelly of Gani Arta and Deddy Da Costa and Yon Margiono took home Rp 1 million each.

Surya executive director Diana Wuisan Tedjasukmana said that her club would recruit two coaches from China.

"Previously, Surya contracted Liu Shixu of China for the women's sector for four years starting 1994. But due to the 1998 riots, the coach returned to China," Diana said as quoted by Antara.

For the men's sector, Surya had contracted Zhang Shi Xiang and Lu Xian Zhao for two years. Hopefully both will start coaching in Kediri soon.

"Technically and strategically, China is the best and strongest in table tennis. Therefore, Indonesia is trying to learn valuable lessons from the coaches," Diana said.

Speaking of Indonesia's chances in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September, Diana said national players would have little chance of winning golds.

"It will be difficult for Indonesia to win golds in the Games as many neighboring countries have hired Chinese players to represent them."

Diana named Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam as the toughest rivals at the biennial event. (zen/yan)