Taufik queries Sudirman Cup simulation plan
Taufik queries Sudirman Cup simulation plan
JAKARTA (JP): World number two Taufik Hidayat questioned on
Wednesday the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)'s
scheduling of a Sudirman Cup simulation on Friday, saying it was
too close to the just-concluded Asia Cup.
"I think it would be better if the simulation took place next
week when players have had enough rest after competing in the
Asia Cup. We just arrived from Singapore and we need a break," he
told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday from Bandung.
"If I perform below my standard on Friday, people will say
many things behind my back."
The simulation will be held at the Indonesian Badminton Center
in Cipayung, East Jakarta. Taufik is scheduled to face Rony
Agustinus in the first men's singles, followed by Hendrawan
taking on Budi Santoso.
Taufik also objected to having to play against Rony during the
simulation. "Why has PBSI scheduled me to face Rony? They know
that I always lose to Rony during practice ... It's completely
different if I have to face him in a competition like the final
of the Asian Badminton Championships last year .... Well, let's
just see what happen tomorrow."
Taufik has been dogged by controversy recently, the most
recent incident occurring last week when he was quoted by AFP as
saying he was considering leaving the country because his coach
Mulyo Handoyo's contract would be terminated after the World
Championships.
The 19-year-old shuttler denied ever making such a statement,
but PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo had replied saying that
Taufik would be allowed to leave the badminton center if he
wished.
Training director Christian Hadinata said the association had
prepared a back-up plan for the simulation in case Taufik chose
not to take part. If Taufik misses the event on Friday, Hendrawan
will meet Johan Hadikusuma while Rony will face Budi.
Taufik was in Bandung after returning from Singapore before
coming back to the center late Wednesday.
Meanwhile, world number 11 Hendrawan has recovered from a
slight eye injury he suffered against Chen Yu of China in last
week's Asia Cup semifinals, which Indonesia lost 2-1. China went
on to win the event.
"Nothing is wrong with my eye. I am playing good now. I have
improved and am playing much better than I did in the All England
in March," Hendrawan told the Post.
"As for the Sudirman Cup, I have told PBSI officials that I
will play because I see our doubles players are very eager to
bring home the trophy.
"I know that PBSI also expects me to win the World
Championships title but I'll see how far can I go."
The Sudirman Cup will take place from May 28 to June 3 at San
Pablo Stadium in Seville, Spain. The World Championships will be
played from June 4 to June 10 in the same venue.
The simulation will see Yuli Marfuah face Lidya Djaelawidjaja
in the women's singles, Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto take on
Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto in the men's doubles and Deyana
Lomban and Indarti Issoliana play Vita Marissa and Etty Tantri in
the women's doubles.
In the mixed doubles, PBSI has arranged two matches: Bambang
Suprianto and Minarti Timur against Tri Kusheryanto and Indarti,
and Nova Widianto and Vita against Agung Wahyu and Emma Ermawati.
(yan)