Uber Cup squad still has time to improve its skills: Manager
Uber Cup squad still has time to improve its skills: Manager
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Uber Cup women's badminton team have yet to reach
its peak performance prior to the qualifying round on Feb. 20-24
in Melbourne, Australia.
The shuttlers are focusing their training to recover their
physical fitness and skills.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has named ten
shuttlers to grab a place in the finals rounds in May in
Guangzhou, China.
The shuttlers are singles shuttlers Lidya Djaelawidjaja, Atu
Rosalina, Ellen Angelina and Dian Novita Sari.
The doubles shuttlers are Deyana Lomban, Emma Ermawati, Eny
Erlangga, Jo Novita, Minarti Timur and Vita Marissa.
"We don't want to force them suddenly after a long break. We
are concentrating on recovering their stamina first," Uber Cup
team manager Rusdi Jacob told reporters on Friday.
"We have about three weeks left before we leave for Melbourne
to polish their skills."
Rusdi was speaking on the sidelines of a warm-up series of
matches at the Bung Karno Badminton Hall. Divided into two teams,
Rajawali and Garuda, the shuttlers were playing in an order which
will be used in the Uber Cup matches.
The shuttlers were mixed with other Uber candidates in the
warm-up matches to form a team.
Defying her right shoulder injury, Lidya beat her junior Dewi
Tira Arisandi 8-6, 7-4, 8-6 in the first match to give Rajawali
its early lead.
It was clear that Lidya failed to use her extensive experience
and take advantage of Dewi's careless placement.
"I could not send my smashes because it is still hurt. I am
still recovering from the injury," Lidya said after the match.
In the second match, doubles pair of veterans Deyana and
Minarti were too strong for second stringers Vita and Eny of the
Rajawali team.
Deyana and Minarti did not have much trouble while handing out
a 7-0, 7-2, 7-0 thrashing that gave the Garuda team the
equalizer.
Ellen extended Garuda's lead by defeating Yuli Marfuah 7-3, 4-
7, 7-5, 7-3.
Earlier, PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung told the Uber Cup team
to give their best performance in Melbourne.
"Although we seldom win the Cup, our team always takes part in
the finals rounds. This is indeed a heavy burden for you to grab
a place in the finals rounds," he said.
Indonesia's female squad is currently plagued by injuries
among its veteran shuttlers while the second stringers and
juniors are not quite up to their seniors' skills.