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