Thomas, Uber Cups lineups announced

Thomas, Uber Cups lineups announced

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian lineups for the Thomas and Uber Cups were
announced on Monday with the Badminton Association of Indonesia
(PBSI) reiterating its hopes the men's team would be able to
retain its trophy.

The list consists 10 men and 10 women, each made up of four
singles and three doubles competitors.

The men's team will be looking to carry on with the winning
form that has seen Indonesia triumph in Thomas Cup for five
consecutive times since 1994.

Their female compatriots will hope to improve their
performance in the Uber Cup, which they last won in 1996, aiming
for at least a semifinals berth.

Wiempie Mahardi finally got a place in the men's team to
accompany Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso.

Wiempie pipped Marleve Mainaky and Taufiq Hidayat Akbar, all
three playing in simulation games in Bandung, West Java, at the
weekend.

The three pairs in the doubles are Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian,
Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto and newly-paired Candra Wijaya/Tri
Kusharjanto.

Their choices mean that Halim Haryanto, formerly Candra's
partner, and Sigit Budiarto, who before was paired with Tri,
missed out on selection.

Director of the national training camp Christian Hadinata
refused to elaborate on their exclusion, saying it would be
unethical.

"It was their coach's decision and I believe the coach knows
the best about their condition," Christian said.

Sigit triumphed in the 2003 World Championship and Halim won
in the 2003 Denmark Open -- on each occasion Candra was both
men's partner.

At the Bandung simulation, the second after Batam, Sigit and
Halim lost to Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian 15-9, 10-15, 15-7.

Among the men's team members, only Taufik, Candra and Tri
featured in 2002, when Indonesia won its fifth trophy.

As expected, Silvi Antarini -- whose No 75 world ranking is
the highest among her female compatriots -- Maria Kristin and
Firdasari are picked for the team, with Fransisca Ratnasari the
fourth member.

The women's doubles players are Jo Novita/Lita Nurlita, Eny
Erlangga/Lilyana Natsir and Greysia Polii/Rani Mundiastuti.

All but Jo Novita and Eny Erlangga are newcomers to the
competition.

PBSI chairman Chaerul Tanjung said the women's picks were also
the choices of their coaches with the association not having
intervened.

Chaerul said Indonesia, as the host country, would see to it
security was tight for all participants during their stay.

"We will use a tighter security system for this competition to
ensure that everything will be safe. We hope this competition
will be the best yet," Chaerul said.

Twenty four teams from 20 country's will take part in the
event at the Bung Karno Stadium here from May 7 to May 16.

Indonesia Team
Thomas Cup
Singles: Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso, Wiempie
Mahardi
Doubles: Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto, Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian,
Candra Wijaya/Tri Kusharyanto
Uber Cup
Singles: Silvi Antarini, Maria Kristin, Adrianti Firdasari,
Fransisca Ratnasari
Doubles: Jo Novita/Lita Nurlita, Eny Erlangga/Lilyana Natsir,
Greysia Polii/Rani Mundiastuti