Top shuttlers in easy group at National C'ships

Top shuttlers in easy group at National C'ships

By Novan Iman Santosa

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Top seeds will face weak
competition during round-robin matches, following the group draw
for the Inter-club National Badminton Championships commencing on
Tuesday at the Hasanuddin Sports Hall.

Defending champion Djarum Kudus is in group H with unseeded
teams Kusuma Kendari and Tirta Barito, while tournament favorite
Jaya Raya is in group A with Keshab and Rajawali.

Djarum Kudus -- which has several national shuttlers,
including singles players Johan Hadikusuma and Budi Santoso, and
doubles specialists Sigit Budiarto and Antonius -- will play its
first match against Kusuma Kendari.

Jaya Raya -- strengthened by Olympic gold medalists Candra
Wijaya and Tony Gunawan -- will be challenged by Keshab.

"We still won't find tough rivals in the round-robin
matches ... but we must be prepared for the quarterfinals as we
definitely will meet good clubs which are probably boosted by my
colleagues at the Indonesian Badminton Center," the newly-wed
Candra said after an official training session at the hall.

Another favorite Tangkas -- which has Olympic silver medalist
Hendrawan on its side -- will meet Malindo in a Group F duel.

Hendrawan declined to comment on his team's chances, as he
remains the substitute for Marlev Mainaky in the men's singles.
But he did provide some comment on the hot weather.

"It's really hot here, especially when we are competing," said
Hendrawan, who also married recently, tying the knot early this
month.

The Hasanuddin hall is not equipped with air conditioners,
making conditions inside extremely hot.

Bandung-based SGS -- with teen-idol Taufik Hidayat, world
number two, in its squad -- will face Bima of Surabaya.

SGS owner Lutfi Hamid, who is also chairman of the PBSI West
Java chapter, said he hoped his players could top the group in
the round-robin series.

"Let's not talk about our chances because we haven't even
started yet. Let's see how the players do tomorrow. I just hope
SGS players can qualify for the quarterfinals, as it's quite easy
in the round-robin."

Winners of the eight groups in the round-robin matches will
qualify for Friday's quarterfinals. Four winning teams will
compete in the semifinals which take place later in the evening.

Meanwhile, with only one day before the championships begin,
the organizing committee is still arguing with South Korea-based
electronics giant PT Samsung Electronics Indonesia over a
sponsorship deal.

The organizers prohibited the company from putting Samsung
signage beside the courts, claiming that it was not part of the
deal.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Board of
Advisers deputy chairman Soehendarto said that it was merely a
misunderstanding.

"After the welcoming ceremony, the board members, PBSI
officials, Samsung representatives and the organizers will meet
to discuss the matter," he said.

Local organizers objected to the official name of Samsung
National Badminton Championships as agreed by PBSI, as they have
also raised considerable funds from local business people.

Soehendarto said PBSI appreciated the organizer's efforts in
collecting Rp 500 million (US$52,650) in funding to help finance
the championships, in addition to the financial assistance
provided by PBSI totaling Rp 220 million.

He said PBSI, Samsung and the organizers' official in charge
of fundraising, Irwan Gonadi, had approved the sponsorship deal
with Samsung, which financed the live broadcast through RCTI and
provided cash prizes for the winners.

"So far, we don't know how much is being provided by Samsung
but the money will be used to boost the sport's development,
especially South Kalimantan, and finance the live broadcast."