Yuliani Sentosa to play at All England

JAKARTA (JP): Former Uber Cup heroine Yuliani Sentosa is to play in the All England badminton championships at her own expense following a decision by the Badminton Association of Indonesia allowing her to participate.

Yuliani, nicknamed Yubing, said during the wedding reception for Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma held Sunday evening she will take part in the championships, scheduled in Birmingham from March 11 to March 15.

"Many people still ask me to play again and I still love badminton," said Yubing, who was relegated from the National Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta on Nov. 1.

"Coach Liang Chiusia is helping me a lot in preparing for the All England. I really thank her for mediating between me and the association," she said.

Yubing will also take part in the US$125,000 Swiss Open, which takes place in Basel from March 18 to March 23.

"I will play in the Swiss Open because I want to take part in the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland," she said.

The World Championships, which will be staged from May 25 to June 1, will feature the world's 16 best shuttlers, based on the International Badminton Federation list on April 1.

Yubing has to take part in two more tournaments to join the best 16. She is now world-ranked 23 after taking part in the Denmark Open in October.

"She has to reach at least the quarterfinals in the All England and the Swiss Open if she wants to be included in the best 16," Chiusia said.

Yuliani, who is still practicing at her club, Djarum Kudus, will stay in London to take an English course before entering a university.

She has to finance her own expenses during her tourney.

"She represents Indonesia and if she can return to the best 16, the association will field her back in international events," Soemarjono, the association's executive director, said. (yan)