... our competitor to host the Thomas and Uber Cup 2016 is China... "New Delhi (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and China are competing to host the Thomas and Uber Cup, a prestigious badminton event, in 2016, Indonesian Badminton Association's Chief of Foreign Affairs Bambang Roediyanto said on Saturday.
"So far our competitor to host the Thomas and Uber Cup 2016 is China. They propose to hold the event in Kunsan City, Changsu province," Roediyanto said on the sideline of preparation before the Thomas and Uber Cup 2014 championship, which will be held in New Delhi on May 18-25.
According to him, Indonesia had hosted the Thomas and Uber Cup in 2008 and is now determined to host the same event in 2016.
For the 2014 Thomas and Uber Cup championship in New Delhi, India, Indonesia sent 20 men and women badminton players to participate in the event that will be held on May 18-25.
"We are ready to leave. Pray for us, so that we can perform at our best," a women's doubles player Pia Zebadiah said.
The All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) had specially prepared the teams for about two months.
It began by forming shadow teams, which were then trained at the national training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
After that, they were quarantined at the Jati Kudus Sports Hall owned by the badminton club PB Djarum in Kudus, Central Java.
Following a simulation competition at the Sritex Sports Hall in Solo, Central Java, PBSI finally selected 10 men and 10 women players, respectively, for the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup, consisting of four single players and six double players for the two events.
"All the preparations have been good. The Indonesian teams are ready to fight. The coaches are also ready with their strategies and tactics to meet the rival teams," Thomas Cup team manager Christian Hadinata said.
Imelda Wiguna, the Uber Cup team manager, meanwhile, said Bellaetrix Manuputt and her fellow team members are ready to play in the matches.
"The support teams have also been extraordinary. They have always stood by to serve and help the players," she added.
The Indonesian Thomas Cup team consists of Tommy Sugiarto, Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, Simon Santoso, Ihsan M Mustofa, Hendra Setiawan, Mohammad Ahsan, Rian Agung Saputro, Angga Pratama, Berry Angriawan and Ricky Karanda Suwardi.
The Uber Cup team, meanwhile, include Linda Weneifanetri, Bellaetrix Manuputty, Adriyanti Firdasari, Maria F Kusumastuti, Greysia Polii, Nitya K Maheswari, Pia Z Bernadet, Rizki A Pradipta, Tiara R Nuraidah and Suci R Andini.
Reporter: Teguh Handoko
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
