Thailand vows 'eye for an eye' against Malaysia in SEA Games

JAKARTA, (JP): Thailand has vowed to avenge the 4-1 loss it suffered to Malaysia last Tuesday, saying it is waiting to unveil a "secret weapon" against the Malaysian team.

"I'm convinced we can beat Malaysia in the next SEA Games," said team manager Vanchai Sansaniyakulvilai on Saturday.

The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, renowned for its attractive women, will host the 14th Southeast Asian Games in December 1995.

Chiang Mai was named host of the biennial sporting event at a SEA Games Federation congress in Singapore in conjunction with the 13th SEA Games held in the Lion City last year.

Vanchai's conviction had nothing to do with his team's ability to outplay than the Malaysians, and will depend on his secret weapon.

"We have prepared beautiful women in Chiang Mai to beat Malaysia," Vanchai said, to the roaring laughter of reporters present at the Thomas Cup - Uber Cup pre-match interview at the Jakarta Hilton International hotel.

Malaysia's team manager, Punch Gunalan, only laughed upon hearing Vanchai's joke, but Vanchai took it as a sign that Malaysia would bow to Thailand.

"You see," he said. "Gunalan is afraid of our secret weapon, isn't he?"

IBF

While Vanchai displayed typical Thai good-naturedness in dealing with his team's poor performance, Titus Kurniadi, one of Indonesia's noted badminton figures, was in a melancholy mood.

Titus, chairman of the 1994 Thomas Cup - Uber Cup organizing committee, will see his membership with the International Badminton Federation (IBF) end this season.

Titus began his IBF career as chairman of the Thomas Cup - Uber Cup organizing committee here in 1986.

"I have been an IBF member for eight years and 17 days," Titus said Saturday as quoted by Antara.

Titus has been head of IBF's Finance and Business committee. Previously he served as deputy chairman of the federation.

"There are times when people have to resign before they are asked to do so," he explained.

Titus, who was head of the foreign affairs committee in the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) under Try Sutrisno's chairmanship, was not among those elected for PBSI's 1993-1997 term under Soerjadi.

PBSI has nominated maestro Rudy Hartono to replace him at the IBF. (lem)