Ten regions protest B. Wijaya's participation

JAKARTA (JP): Ten regions are protesting because Benny Wijaya, one of Indonesia's leading tennis players, is to compete at the National Games. They say he betrayed the country when he refused to play in two crucial Davis Cup matches early this year.

Ten chapters of the Indonesian Tennis Association signed a petition objecting to his inclusion. They cited a ban on Benny playing in all national events organized by the association.

The 24-year-old player, who now lives in Taiwan, has been named to represent Jakarta. He is to play in the men's singles, and team up with Davis Cup veteran Eddy Kusdaryanto in the doubles.

Benny refused to compete in the Davis Cup after criticizing the association for its failure to look after the interests of professional players. Many blamed him for Indonesia's Davis Cup defeats at the hands of South Korea and China in February and March.

Of the 12 chapters taking part in the National Games, Jakarta and Yogyakarta have refused to sign the petition.

Sukiswo Ali, the team manager for the West Java province, was pessimistic that their demands would be met, considering that Jakarta is hosting the event.

But he said the petitioners have urged that their letter, sent to the association, be forwarded to the Games' organizers.

The tennis at the Games starts today, two days before the official opening, because the national Davis Cup team will play Taiwan in Taipei from Sept. 20 to Sept. 22. Indonesia must win the match to stay in the competition.

Separately, Yayuk Basuki yesterday predicted she would face tough matches against her younger opponents despite her top seeding.

Yayuk, who represents her home town Yogyakarta, said this would be the last time she competes at the Games. But "it doesn't mean that I'm unbeatable."

Yayuk expects tough challenges from Fed Cup team mates Liza Andriyani and Wynne Prakusya, who represent Central Java, and Romana Tedjakusuma from East Java.

"My winning chance is 85 to 90 percent. But I've been touring these past five months and anything can happen," she said.

Yayuk, who plans to retire next year, won the Games gold medal in 1989. She missed the 1993 Games because she was playing in the U.S. Open. (yan)