Yayuk says yes to Asian Games

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top women's tennis player, Yayuk Basuki, has ended speculation by announcing her intention to play in the Asian Games in Bangkok next December.

The Yogykarta native made her intention known in a statement received by the Indonesian Tennis Association Friday.

But she declined to compete in upcoming Fed Cup women's team ties.

"Yayuk's intention is to take part in the Asian Games. With her participation, we will prepare the formation of the team," Benny Mailili, the federation's spokesman, was quoted as saying by Antara.

Yayuk reached 20th in the WTA rankings earlier this year, and is currently ranked 21st. The only higher ranked Asian is Japan's Ai Sugiyama at a place above her.

Benny said Yayuk wanted to give younger players a chance in the Fed Cup.

"Yayuk has made the right decision not to play in the Federation Cup. Yayuk also wants to prove that the young players have the motivation to win."

He said the young players had shown the depth of their potential by grabbing five gold medals in the 19th SEA Games here in October.

Benny said Indonesia's toughest rivals in the Asian Games would be South Korea, Japan and China.

"We don't know about their strengths, and only know that they are not sending their best players."

Likely members of the Asian Games team will compete in a singles tournament in Taiwan beginning Monday.

The men's lineup for Taiwan is Andrian Raturandang, Yusmawan Fahmi, Bonit Wirawan and Sulistyo Wibowo, and the women are represented by Wynne Prakusya, Eny Sulistyowati, Irawati M. Iskandar and Wukirasih Sawondari. (lnt)