Thomas and Uber Cup players get boost
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian badminton players received the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals boost they needed when they met President Soeharto at the State Palace yesterday.
"Indonesians always look forward to seeing their favorites triumph in every international badminton event," Soeharto said upon receiving the Indonesian teams who were flanked by chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Soerjadi and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman.
The President insisted that the players make an all-out fight to produce a double victory, while warning them not to look down their noses at any opponents they may face.
"This is not an easy task, but all Indonesian people stand behind you," Soeharto said.
President said the shuttlers' success in winning both coveted trophies would draw attention from many countries around the world. "Many countries know Bali better than Indonesia," Soeharto said.
Indonesia brought home the two symbols of world badminton team supremacy in the same season when a Rudy Hartono-led team blanked Malaysia 9-0 in 1976 for the Thomas Cup trophy in addition to Minarni and company's 5-2 victory over Japan in the 1975 Uber Cup finals.
China, the current Uber Cup title holder, took both trophies three times in a row in 1986, 1988 and 1990.
The Indonesian Thomas Cup team, led by world number one Joko Suprianto, is eying their ninth title in the May 10-21 finals slated for the Senayan indoor stadium.
Soerjadi, who is also the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, reported to Soeharto during the brief meeting that PBSI's preparations for badminton's most prestigious events were almost complete.
As the meeting was heading to an end, President had a coffee break and warm conversation with Indonesia's badminton heroes. Soeharto wanted to know how long the teams training sessions were every day.
"We have a five-hour session per day," women's world champion Susi Susanti, representing her teammates, said in response to President's question.
Eight countries qualify for the finals in each event, with host Indonesia, Uber Cup holder China and Thomas Cup holder Malaysia receiving automatic tickets to the finals.
The International Badminton Federation (IBF) approves only nine players to form a team for each event which will stage three singles and two doubles matches.
Denmark, debutante Finland, Sweden, South Korea, China and Thailand are the other teams to line up the men's team championship, while the women's division will also see red-hot favorite South Korea, five-time winner Japan, newcomer Russia, Denmark, Sweden and Thailand.
Denmark will arrive tomorrow to become the first team to enter the biennial event. Sweden will be the last, but not the least, squad to enter. (amd)