HASIL SEMI FINAL YONEX GERMAN OPEN 2009

CHINA memang luar biasa. Memastikan 4 gelar dengan 4 all chinesse final di Yonex Geman open 2009. Berikut ini hasil pertandingan semi final.

DUBES RI DI LONDON JAMU TIM ALL ENGLAND

London, 28/2 (Sports.Roll) – Duta Besar RI Berkuasa Penuh untuk Kerajaan Inggris dan Republik Irlandia Yuri Octavian Thamrin menjamu rombongan pertama tim All England Indonesia yang telah berada di London, sejak Rabu.

Pemain yang datang dalam rombongan pertama diantaranya Tommy Sugiarto putra Icuk Sugiarto mantan pemain nasional Indonesia, demikian Sekretaris I KBRI London, Novan Ivanhoe Saleh kepada koresponden Antara London, Sabtu.

Sebelum menuju Birmingham, tempat All England berlangsung, rombongan dijamu makan pagi oleh Dubes RI dan Ny Sandra Thamrin sebagai tuan rumah bersama staf KBRI di Wisma Nusantara.

Dikatakannya sambil menikmati santap pagi berupa bubur ayam dan nasi goreng, Yuri Thamrin menyampaikan pesan agar seluruh tim dapat menjaga diri dan berhati-hati selama berada di Inggris, serta menjaga nama baik bangsa Indonesia di forum internasional.

Dubes juga berpesan para pemain bertanding dengan motivasi tinggi.

Menurut rencana Dubes Yuri Thamrin bersama staf KBRI akan menyaksikan pertandingan pertama tim Indonesia pada tangal 4 Maret mendatang.

Ia juga berpesan agar para pemain memperhatikan pakaian di musim dingin ini agar tidak sakit serta pilihan makanan yang bergizi.

Dubes Yuri mengatakan kemenangan tidak diperoleh oleh hanya penguasaan teknik yang tinnggi tetapi juga kesiapan mental dan stamina.

Dubes juga berpesan para pemain bisa menjaga diri dan nama bangsa selama di inggris dan bertanding degan motivasi tinggi.

KBRI dan masyarakat serta pelajar Indonesia, khususnya di Birmingham siap menyambut dan memberikan dukung kepada tim Indonesia.

Menurut Novan Ivanhoe Saleh, KBRI telah menugaskan salah seorang stafnya ke Birmingham untuk mendampingi para pemain selama mereka bertanding di kejuaraan Al England.

Selesai santap pagi dan ramah tamah, tim langsung menuju birmingham untuk bergabung dgn tim dari negara lain yangg akan memulai pertandingan pada 3 Maret mendatang.

Tim Indonesia yang akan bertanding di All England dari Pelatnas sebanyak 17 pemain . Rencananya 20 orang tapi pasangan Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan batal karena Kido cedera lutut kirinya, begitupun dengan Maria Kristin batal karena cedera lutut kanannya belum pulih

KBRI dan masyarakat serta pelajar Indonesia, khususnya di Birmingham siap menyambut dan memberikan dukung kepada tim Indonesia.

Menurut rencana Dubes Yuri Thamrin bersama staf KBRI akan menyaksikan pertandingan pertama tim Indonesia pada tangal 4 Maret mendatang.

Tim Indoneaia yang akan bertanding di All England untuk tunggal putra Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso, Tommy Sugiarto, sedangkan ditunggal putri Adriyanti Firdasari, Pia Zebadiah.

Indonesia menurunkan di ganda putra Rian Sukmawan/Yonatan Suryatama, Bona Septano/Muhammad Ahsan dan diganda putri Shendy Puspa/Meiliana Jauhari, Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda serta ganda campuran Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir, Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita. Manajer timnya Lilik Sudarwati yang akan menginap di Hotel Novotel Birmingham .

Selain itu beberapa pemain non Pelatnas seperti Taufik Hidayat, pasangan Alvent Yulianto/Hendra AG, Joko Riyadi/Candra Wijaya, Jo Novita/Rani Mundiasti. (U-ZG) ***5***

GUBERNUR RIAU CUP 1 DAN ABC OPEN

Jumat, 20 Februari 2009 | 12:03 WIB PEKANBARU, TRIBUN - Bagi para pengemar maupun pencinta olahraga bulutangkis di tanah air tentunya sudah tak asing lagi dengan Haryanto Arby, Sigit Budiarto dan Trikus Herdjianto.

Mereka adalah mantan atlet bulutangkis nasional yang pernah mengharumkan nama bangsa dalam berbagai kejuaraan internasional. Masyarakat Riau pecinta olahraga andalan Indonesia ini, bisa menyaksikan kehebatan mantan-mantan pemain nasiolan itu pada 28 Februari ini di Pekanbaru.

Pemain bulutangkis nasional tersebut akan bertanding pada partai eksebisi, pada pembukaan kejuaraan bulutangkis open ABC Cup I dan Gubernur Riau Cup I di GOR Angkasa Badminton Club (ABC), Jalan Riau. Terdapat tujuh pemain nasional yang dihadirkan Hans Sport, sebagai sponsor kegiatan.

Haryanto Arby berpasangan dengan Sigit Budiarto berhadapan dengan pasangan Trikus Hardjianto dan Bambang Suprianto. Kemudian hadir juga atlet nasional lainnya, Djuang Djayadi, Fauzi Adnan dan Agung. “Iven ini bisa dikatakan yang terbesar di Riau. Di partai pembukaan, sejumlah atlet nasional dipastikan turun pada partai eksebisi,” tutur Hans, pemilik toko Hans Sport yang khusus menjual peralatan olahraga bulutangkis, Kamis (19/2).

Kejuaraan ABC Cup I dan Gubernur Cup I digelar Pengprov Persatuan Bulutangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI) Riau bekerjasama dengan GOR ABC dan di sponsori Hans Sport. Open kejuaraan terbesar di Riau ini bersempena dengan pelantikan Pengprov PBSI Riau dan peresmian GOR ABC yang rencana dihadiri Ketua PB PBSI, Jenderal TNI Joko Santoso.

Kejuaraan dibagi empat kategori. Tunggal putra/putri usia 12 tahun dan 15 tahun. Tunggal putra/putri usia 18 tahun. Dewasa beregu putra khusus undangan ( 3 ganda). Dewasa beregu putra umum (1 tunggal dan 2 ganda). Ganda veteran perorangan putra, minimal 40 tahun.. “Pendaftaran kami perpanjang hingga 24 Februari,” ujar Pemilik ABC, C Hadi Susanto. (ihsan)

Results Quarterfinal German Open GP ’09 All China To Semifinal, Malaysia Out of Luck

By Ferry Irawan

(Bulutangkis.com) – The absent of China’s team at Malaysia SS and Korea SS in the beginning of this year to follow centralization of training finally showed the results. At their first international tourney this year, China’s players in B team successfully create many upset in the quarterfinals and progressed to semifinals. In contrary, Malaysia’s players following Denmark step without any envoy in the next round.

Men’s Doubles

The new collaboration, Lee Yong Dae/Shin Bae Cheol (5) opened quarterfinals match against Japan’s pair, Naoki Kawamae/Shoji Sato. In the first game, Lee/Shin came with their aggressively smash attack and net play before ended it 21-14. But in the second game, the Japanese looks more solid and aggressive to force rubber set 21-12. Naoki/Shoji had lead 4-0 and 6-3 in the third but with his experience, Lee Yong Dae manage to tie up Japan’s pair at 6-all and alter their position into 13-9. Although the Japanese try to equal the score 11-14 and 13-16, Lee/Shin didn’t give any chance for them to evolve their match and shut the chance with 21-15.

These two Korean still have their edge in the semifinals round to take final ticket from seeded #2, Robert Blair/Chris Adcock. England’s pair should work hard to eliminate Malaysia’s Mak Hee Cun/Tan Wee Kiong, 21-16, 11-21, 21-19.

Feud between senior players Flandy Limpele/Halim Haryanto against Tony Gunawan/Howard Bach is another interesting match on the court 3. Gunawan/Bach who playing solid in front of the net and less of errors closed first set 23-21 after loosing their 2 match point. In the second, Flandy/Halim showed of their dignity with huge gap 12-6 and 17-9. America’s pair could manage their point and nigh the score 16-20 but it seems too late because Flandy/Halim firstly ended this set 21-16.

Flandy/Halim renascent their score 11-12 after went down 3-9 in the decider match. But eventually this set goes to experience pair, Gunawan/Bach who keeps their lead 15-11, 18-13 and 20-14 before winning it 21-16.

In the next round, America’s pair will face new raising star, Japan’s Kenichi Kayakawa/Kenta Kezuno. After 30 minutes thrilling match against new Malaysia combination, Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen, Kenichi/Kenta ends their journey 21-18, 21-16.

Mixed Doubles

Although he lost with Halim in Men’s Doubles category, Flandy still has his chance with Russia’s Anastasia Russkikh. In the afternoon match against 7th seed, Han Sang Hoon/Kim Min Jung, this Indonesia-Russia pair had went down 12-15 in the first set before took it 21-18. The Korean leads huge gap 14-6, 16-7 in the second and forced into decider set 21-13. Final game looks belong to Han/Kim when they’re executed Limpele/Russkikh 14-9 and 15-11. But with their solidifying heart, Limpele/Russkikh took 4 consecutive points and tied up the score 15-all, 17-all before winning the match 21-17.

In the semifinal match, Flandy/Anastasia will battle against China’s Xu Chen/Zhao Yunlei (5). This runners up China Open SS stanched Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun/Ha Jung Eun 21-12, 21-15 for 27 minutes match.

The other semifinals match will be held between Olympic semifinalis, Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung (1) and China’s Zheng Bo/Ma Jin. Duo Lee has no essential problems to crash England’s Chris Adcock/Gabrielle White (6), 23-21, 21-16. Meanwhile, Zheng Bo/Ma Jin who destroys semifinalist Korea SS 2009, Diju/Jwala (4) in straight set. Leading 12-8 after toilet break, the Chinese ran away and took first set 21-17. In the second game, Zheng/Ma constantly keep their huge lead from 8-1 to 12-5 and 17-9 before shut the door with 21-12.

Men’s Singles

China’s team secured one place in the final after Gong Weijie and Chen Long makes their great impression over two seed players and progressed to the next round. The winner World Junior Championships 2007, Chen Long creates one of the big upset when he stop Malaysia’s senior player, Wong Choong Hann (3) in third set match. Loosing so easy 9-21 in the first after making so many errors, Chen find his own game in the second set when he fallen behind 1-6 and 4-7. Surely he grabs 6 consecutive points and taking the lead 10-7.

Wong comeback with his game 14-11 but once again Chen fight to attack with his smash until the end of set 18-16 and 19-17 to force rubber set 21-19. The miracles happen to Choong Hann when he stuck 2-13 and 5-15 but then make it 16-17 with his magic. In the critical points, Runners up China Open SS 2007 ran out of gas and surrender to Chen, 17-21.

Semifinalist German Open 2008, Gong Weijie also makes upset when he beat India’s Chetan Anand (2) for almost one hours match. Gong leading 17-13 in the first but then lost 19-21. Chetan almost ended this match in second set when he founds the way out 19-20 after dwindle 15-20. But Gong firstly closed this set 21-19 and forced the rubber. Lost from his focus and power, Anand couldn’t leveled Gong in the decider. His placing and netting secure some points but not sufficient to close the gap 6-16 into 10-20 and ended with 12-21

Eric Pang (7) is the only player in this category to prevent All Chinese Final match as he stops Korea’s, Hong Ji Hoon 21-8, 21-14 on yesterday’s match. But his task is not easy because he has to eliminate favorite winner, Bao Chunlai (1) who dusted Andrew Smith (5), 21-11, 14-21, 21-7.

Women’s Singles

Zhu Lin (1) and Wang Yihan (6) also opened the chance for All China Final in the ladies event. After erased Elizabeth Cann’s dream to semifinal stage 21-8, 21-17, the winner of Indonesia SS 2008, Zhu Lin will against Netherland’s Judith Meulendijks for final ticket. Judith finally stopped the journey of raising star, Bae Youn Joo in 51 minutes rubber set match. Bae Youn Joo seems gonna be lost easily in the second after surrender 15-21 in the first set. Her tenacious in the second changes everything since she takes the lead 13-5, 14-6 and 19-14.

As experiencing player, Judith almost closed Bae’s chance when she grabs 5 consecutive points to make it 19-all and anticipate Bae’s first match point into 20-all. Bae’s luck finally ended this set 22-20. In the third, Bae ran out of luck when Judith gave no chance for her and stir her game. Leading with 12-4 and 17-7, Judith took this set 21-11.

In the other hand, Wang Yihan will meet homeland’s hope as the second seeded, Xu Huaiwen. Wang breezed Korea’s Hwang Hye Youn (4), 21-13, 21-10 when Xu Huaiwen frustrated Japanese youngster, Sayaka Sato 21-10, 21-10.

Women’s Doubles

Two Russian pair, Anastasia Russkikh/Ekaterina Ananina (7) and Valeria Sorokina/Nina Vislova (5) failed to prevent Asia’s domination in this sector. Russkikh/Ananina lost from China’s Pan Pan/Tian Qing, 21-14, 21-14. But their nation should be proud with Sorokina and Vislova after took second set from world #3, Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won (1).

Fallen behind 13-21 in the first, Russia’s pair came with their aggressive attack in the second. Also with some errors in return from Korea’s pair, they’re taking huge lead 13-6 and 16-10 before ensure this set 21-18. Everything were going to be different in the third. Russia couldn’t fight with their own way and surrender 15-21.

To keep their crown as defending champion this year, Duo Lee probably have to pass two Chinese pair, Cheng Shu/Zhao Yunlei (6) and Pan Pan/Tian Qing in the next two round if their compatriot’s Ha Jung Eun/Kim Min Jung (2) unsuccessful to struck down Pan/Tian on their semifinals match.

Cheng Shu/Zhao Yunlei goes to semifinals after winning over Japan’s Fujii Mizuki/Reika Kakiiwa, 21-14, 21-8 when Korean ladies, Ha/Kim threw out Singapore’s Yao Lei/Shinta Mulia Sari (6) 21-16, 21-13.

New Format for Thomas and Uber Cups

In a bid to stop teams from trying to set up future opponents, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it would tighten rules for the Thomas and Uber Cup finals as well as change the format.

At this year’s tournament, in April in Indonesia, South Korea were able to determine who they were playing in the play-offs by deliberately losing matches during the group states.

The South Koreans, who didn’t finish in the top two of their preliminary group but still advanced to the play-offs, eventually made it to the final before losing to China.

Only two teams will advance to the knock-out stages from now on, BWF chairman of events Paisan Rangsikitpho told the media. In addition, there will be a draw to discover who plays who in the play-offs.

“From the 2010 Thomas Cup, only the top two teams from each group will make it to the next stage,” said Paisan.

“A draw would be fairer to all and no one will have an idea of who awaits them in the second round.”

The knockout stage will be such that teams that finish higher during the group stages will enjoy better seedings for the play-offs irrespective of their world rankings.

BWF also want to deter players and countries from pulling out players from tournaments at the eleventh hour with heftier fines.

The current fine of US$250 will still be in force for the first two late withdrawals. A third withdrawal will result in a US$1,000 fine. This applies to all BWF tournaments, whether it is an elite Super Series event or a lesser satellite competition.

Further withdrawals will result in players being reported to the disciplinary committee. Serial offenders may be banned from taking part in BWF events for a certain period of time.

This month’s World Super Series Masters Finals was hit by the withdrawal of the entire Chinese team at the last minute, robbing the event of some of its lustre, as well as a host of Olympic champions.

Paisan also insisted that India would still stage the World Championships in Mumbai next year despite the recent terrorist attacks in the city.

“The security of the players is very important and if there are any fears, we will look into alternative venues but as of today, India are still the host,” he said.

Why Does China Dominate in Badminton ?

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit” said Vince Lombardi.

China has developed the good habits that keep them winning in badminton. China is by far the best country in the world at badminton. There are some other countries that have elite badminton programs such as Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia. However, China’s program is the most dominant badminton program in the world. But, why does China dominate in badminton?

First, China’s badminton men and women programs are supported by China’s government. This helps them continually dominate badminton. The Chinese government takes care of everything for the athletes in the badminton program. For example, the government takes care of the athletes housing, meals and training. Therefore, China’s athletes do not have to worry about anything except for playing badminton and preparing for competitions.

This give the Chinese badminton program an advantage over other countries like Denmark or USA that only have their family and federations like the Badminton World Federation to depend on for support. Most of the other countries have to deal with real world issues like financial obligations because their government is not providing everything for them like China’s badminton team.

China has a huge pool of talent to pick for recruiting athletes for their badminton program. This is one of the ways that they became the best badminton program in the world. China is a very big country with a population of about 1.3 billion people. There are about 100 million people in China that takes part in badminton.

They have so many young athletes involved in badminton that many second or third tier Chinese badminton athletes could be the best players on their team if they played for other countries. Badminton is continually becoming more popular in China. Therefore, even more and more people in China are playing badminton whether just for fun or in serious athletic competition. This will help makes the talent pool of badminton athletes grow even larger.

The dominance of China also continues because their players are just simply better. The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing the Chinese badminton team won three out of a possible five gold medals. They won gold in men’s singles, women’s singles, and women’s doubles. China’s Zhang Ning is one of the best woman badminton players in the history of the sport.

She has many impressive accomplishes such as being the only player male or female to win consecutive Olympic singles gold medals. She also has won eight tournaments in her outstanding career. In addition, China’s Lin Dan is the best male player in the world. He has had a phenomenal career recently winning gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He also won nine top tier international championships between 2002 and 2004. He doesn’t show any signs of slowing down either. There are other good Chinese players such as Chen Jin, Xie Xang Fang and Du Jing whom all medaled in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Thus, China’s badminton program is the best in the world. The various reasons why they keep winning aren’t going to change because they have created a good system to develop and nurture their talent. Therefore winning is a habit and its looks like a habit that China is not going to break.

Zhang Ning: Retired But Not Forgotten

“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time” said Arnold H. Glasgow. Zhang Ning has accomplished a lot in her successful career.

She retired from badminton on November 24, 2008. She has achieved everything that she has wanted to in badminton. She has had a long career that has stood the test of time. However, though she is now retired she will not be forgotten.

First, Zhang Ning had a good career. However, she has overcome her share of difficulties and tough loses. She reached the finals at the 2007 Danish Open. But, she lost at the Danish Open to Lu Lan 17-21, 14-21 due to a thigh injury. Then in the France Open she reached the semi-finals.

She was upset by France’s Pi Hongyan. In addition, she lost at the China Open in 2007 in straight sets to Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo in the semi finals. She mainly lost that match because of injury and fatigue. She did not let those defeats break her spirits. She used it as motivation to continually improve and work on her skills as a badminton player.

Zhang Ning had many impressive accomplishments in her career. One of the most outstanding was when she became the first badminton player male or female to win back to back gold medals in the women’s singles competition at the Summer Olympics. She won gold medal at 2004 Athen Summer Olympics and she defended her title to win again at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

In addition, she has won gold at the 2003 Birmingham World Championships by defeating Gong Ruina 11-6 and 11,3. Then she won silver at 2005 Anaheim World Championships before losing to Xie Xingfang 8-11, 11-9, 3-11 in the finals. She also won a silver at 2006 World Championships before losing in the finals. She has won many other tournaments and championships far too many to name.

She is famous in China and is somewhat of an icon in Chinese badminton. She is well known because of her greatness as a badminton player and also because of the amazing longevity of her career. She began her professional career in 1994 by competing at the Uber Cup. Her career has spanned 14 years which is long for any professional athletes and especially for badminton.

She has had the longest playing career of any Chinese badminton player. She set the age for oldest women singles gold medal when she won it at 2008 Summer Olympics at age of 33 years old. Her having a high profile lead to her winning the distinguished honor of being chose as a flag bearer for her country in the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.

Equally important in 2006 well known Dutch filmmaker Roel Van Dalen make the documentary film Olympic journey The Road to Beiijing on the life of Zhang Ning. It was broadcasted on TV worldwide.

Zhang Ning had a long and outstanding career. She has made history and broken many records. She had a legendary badminton career. She has definitely done the right thing at the right time. Therefore, Zhang Ning will always be remembered in badminton and known as a badminton legend.

Indonesia Terbuka Jalan Terus

JAKARTA – Agenda politik sempat mengancam kelangsungan turnamen bulutangkis super series di tanah air, Indonesia Terbuka. Namun, sebagai salah satu kiblat bulu tangkis, Indonesia tetap dipercaya BWF (Federasi Bulu Tangkis Dunia) untuk menghelat agenda tersebut. Seperti tahun lalu, turnamen berhadiah USD 250 ribu itu akan diselenggarakan pada Juni.

”BWF sudah menyetujui dan PBSI harus siap. Ini even internasional. Saya yakin pihak berwenang akan membantu persoalan keamanan,” terang Ketua Bidang Pertandingan dan Perwasitan PB PBSI Mimi Irawan di Jakarta kemarin (26/2).

Menurut Mimi, Indonesia Terbuka rencananya diselenggarakan selama sepekan pada 16-21 Juni di Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta. Bulan tersebut dipilih karena BWF sudah memberikan jatah bahwa Indonesia akan menjadi tuan rumah pada seri keenam.

Padahal, bulan itu terletak di antara dua agenda besar politik nasional. Pada 9 April nanti, akan diselenggarakan pemilihan legislatif. Berikutnya, putaran pertama pemilihan presiden dihelat pada 6 Juli. Kondisi tersebut sempat menimbulkan kekhawatiran terkait dengan jaminan keamanan dan perizinan.

Mimi meyakini, Indonesia Terbuka tahun ini akan diikuti pebulutangkis papan atas dunia. Itu tak lepas dari suksesnya pelaksanaan final Masters Super Series di Kuala Lumpur pada 2008 sebagai penutup rangkaian turnamen reguler super series. Poin dari turnamen super series, seperti halnya Indonesia Terbuka, memang diperlukan untuk lolos ke final master.

”Selain itu, pasti ada kerinduan para pemain top untuk tampil di turnamen perorangan setelah membela negaranya masing-masing pada Piala Sudirman Mei nanti,” terang Mimi.

Tahun lalu Indonesia Terbuka kurang diminati. Tiongkok yang menjadi negara terkuat bulutangkis saat ini tidak mengirimkan atlet. Alasannya, saat itu jadwalnya berdekatan dengan Olimpiade Beijing 2008. (vem/ang)

(Sumber: Jawapos.co.id)

24 TIM IKUTI KEJUARAAN PIALA TELKOM

Surabaya, 27/2 (Sports.Roll) – Sebanyak 24 tim dari perusahaan dan instansi di Jawa Timur mengikuti kejuaraan bulu tangkis Piala Telkom yang berlangsung di Surabaya, pada 27 Februari hingga 1 Maret 2009.

Komisaris PT Telkom, Sartono didampingi “Executive General Manager” Telkom Jatim, Triana Mulyatsa membuka secara resmi kejuaraan tahunan tersebut di GOR Wahana Asah Raga (WAR) Stadium Telkom Jatim di Surabaya, Jumat.

Peserta yang ambil bagian berasal dari berbagai perusahaan dan instansi pemerintah, di antaranya Telkomsel, Indosat, XL, PLN, Pertamina, PT Pos Indonesia, PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, dan Marinir.

Ketua Bidang Pertandingan, Nanang R.Hidayat mengatakan, pertandingan menggunakan sistem gugur dengan memainkan tiga nomor ganda.

“Tidak ada batasan usia, namun pemain yang tampil harus benar-benar karyawan perusahaan, bukan pemain pinjaman,” katanya.

Pemenang pertama kejuaraan tahunan yang digelar Telkom Jatim ini, akan mendapatkan medali emas ditambah uang pembinaan sebesar Rp7,5 juta dan piala bergilir dari Telkom.

Sedangkan posisi kedua dan ketiga, masing-masing mendapatkan medali, piala dan uang pembinaan Rp4 juta dan Rp2,5 juta.

Triana Mulyatsa mengemukakan, kejuaraan ini menjadi ajang silaturahmi dan menjalin keakraban antara Telkom dengan mitra bisnisnya. ***4***

PBSI Targetkan Indonesia Raih Satu Gelar Juara

Kapanlagi.com – Ketua Umum PB PBSI Jenderal TNI Djoko Santoso setelah upacara pelepasan pemain dan ofisial yang akan berangkat ke All England dan Swiss Super Series, mengatakan para pemain tim Indonesia ditargetkan membawa pulang sedikitnya satu gelar.

“Target realistisnya diharapkan ganda campuran, Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir yang menjadi unggulan pertama bisa memperoleh gelar juara, yang lain-lainnya diharapkan masuk final atau semifinal untuk yang masih muda,” ujar Djoko.

Meski demikian, Liliyana yang sejak pekan lalu terserang sakit flu dan sempat absen latihan, masih tampak belum pulih sepenuhnya.

“Tahun lalu sebelum ke All England juga sakit, mudah-mudahan bisa cepat sembuh,” kata Liliyana yang bersama Nova pada All England tahu lalu menjadi runner-up.

Lebih lanjut Djoko mengatakan, salah satu pemain tunggal putra diharapkan dapat menembus final turnamen berhadiah total 200.000 dolar AS itu, sedangkan ganda putri bisa mencapai semifinal.

Pada nomor tunggal putra, pelatnas mengikutsertakan pemain nomor lima dunia Sony Dwi Kuncoro dan peringkat 10 Simon Santoso, sedangkan Tommy Sugiarto berangkat dengan biaya sendiri. Sementara sektor ganda putri mengikutsertakan dua pasangan, Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda dan Shendy Puspa/Meiliana Jauhari.

Semula Tommy juga akan mengikuti turnamen Grand Prix Jerman Terbuka yang saat ini sedang berlangsung, namun ia menarik diri dari turnamen tersebut.

Ditanya apakah finalis All England 1999 dan 2000 Taufik Hidayat –yang sudah keluar dari pelatnas– akan menjadi ancaman bagi pemain-pemain pelatnas, Djoko mengatakan, setiap pemain yang berlaga di luar negeri tetap mewakili Indonesia meski sudah tidak termasuk dalam tim nasional.

“Semua atlet itu atlet Indonesia, namun ada dua jalur, melalui PBSI dan jalur profesional. PBSI tetap memfasilitasi mereka seperti mendaftarkan untuk mengikuti turnamen, membantu memesan tiket, hotel dan lain-lain,” papar Djoko.

Selain Taufik, beberapa atlet non-pelatnas yang akan bertanding di Birmingham antara lain, pasangan Alvent Yulianto/Hendra AG, Candra Wijaya/Joko Riyadi dan Jo Novita/Rani Mundiasti. (kpl/zul)