Star Online China to decide later about trip to Jakarta KUALA LUMPUR: There is a growing concern over the players’ safety during the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals, which coincide with Indonesia’s general election. And China have taken a wait-and-see attitude on whether to send a team to the Finals, which will be played at the Senayan Indoor Stadium in Jakarta from May 7-16. China are certain to be one of the five qualifiers for the Thomas Cup Finals from the ongoing Asian Zone tournament here. They are in the Uber Cup Finals as the defending champions. In the Indonesian general election, the registration of candidates for president and vice-president will be held in the first week of May. The confirmation of the number of parties running in the elections and the announcement of candidates for president and vice-president will be made on May 19. The elections in Indonesia could be rocked by disturbances. China’s singles coach Zhong Bo said: “We are aware that the Indonesia general election will be held during the Finals. We had a discussion about it. We will monitor the situation and see how it goes. “We will go if the other teams are not worried about the playing environment there. But if the other teams decide not to make the trip too, we will do the same.” China are bent on winning the Thomas Cup, which they last won 14 years ago in Tokyo. They are the favourites to retain the Uber Cup. It is not a new thing for China to give tournaments staged in Indonesia a miss. They skipped the 1998 Indonesian Open following the economic crisis in the region. In that tournament, Yong Hock Kin emerged as the first Malaysian to win the Indonesian Open men’s singles title. Chinese sports officials also withdrew their badminton team from the 2001 tournament, citing the unstable political situation in Indonesia. In the ongoing Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifiers, Zhong Bo said: “Our players are getting better and better. They are certainly prepared for the tougher tie against Thailand.” On Tuesday, China took a longer time than expected to beat Taiwan 5-0. Tsai Chia-hsin-Tseng Chung-lin gave China’s top doubles pair of Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng a run for their money before going down 10-15, 17-16, 10-15. The Chinese, who whitewashed the Vietnamese 5-0 on Monday, will play their final Group D tie against Thailand today.
The choice of Jakarta looked like a problem from the start. Several teams have chosen not to travel there in recent years, when you add in the elections I wonder how many countries will have second thoughts. The british foreign office currently rates Indonesia as dangerous and advises against all non essential travel.
Put your money where your mouth is Very assuring words from authoritative asst coaches. Nice references to 1994. Maybe coaches will offer their heads as guarantee? Are players insured against riot and civil commotion? It s like guaranteeing the conduct of the lion in its cage.
It is still some months away in May. Wonder whether the IBF has plans to change the venue or the date if the situation demands.
