Taufik, Minarti pull out of Malaysia Open

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) decided on Friday to withdraw world number three Taufik Hidayat from the US$120,000 Malaysia Open just five days before the event begins, citing the shuttler's tender hamstring.

"PBSI sent the withdrawal letter today (Friday), signed by our medical consultant Dr. Michael Triangto. It stated that Taufik has yet to recover from the injury he suffered in his semifinal match at the World Championships in Seville, Spain, in early June," PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata said as quoted by Antara.

"We also withdrew mixed doubles shuttler Minarti Timur because she has yet to recover from the typhoid she has been suffering from for three weeks," he said.

PBSI must pay a US$250 fine for the late withdrawal of defending champion and second seed Taufik, as the draw had already been finalized.

"As for Minarti, we will replace her with Emma Ermawati to partner Bambang Supriyanto. PBSI won't be charged for her withdrawal, the organizers will simply change the name on the draw."

Bambang Supriyanto and Minarti Timur were the top seed in the mixed doubles and given a bye in the first round. Taufik was scheduled to meet Malaysian Pei Wei Chung in the opening round.

PBSI training director Christian Hadinata said he faced a dilemma in deciding whether or not to send Taufik to the four- star tournament.

"I have to be honest in saying that Taufik's preparation was not sufficient for an important event such as the Malaysia Open," he told Antara.

"But on the other hand, I knew we would be harshly criticized if we opted not to send him. Many will say that PBSI employed favoritism in sending the shuttlers."

Christian emphasized that world-class shuttlers should be able to prepare properly for prestigious events.

"Even good preparation can't guarantee a shuttler will win, to say nothing of poor preparation. The question is not whether the shuttler can finance his or her own trip," he said.

"A coach also plays an important role in the decision to send a shuttler to a tournament or not. The coach cannot evaluate a shuttler who is not serious in their training program."

Taufik has reportedly declined to work with coach Agus Dwi Santoso after PBSI canceled the contract of his previous coach, Mulyo Handoyo, after the World Championships. (nvn)