Indonesia's top duo in boycott threat
Source: Agencies |
August 13, 2010, Friday
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INDONESIA'S Olympic and former world champion doubles pairing Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan are threatening to boycott this month's world badminton championships in Paris over a row with their national federation.
The duo, ranked second in the world, is upset because the Indonesian Badminton Association failed to enter them in the China Masters, a leg of the lucrative Super Series tour.
"If we can't play, then we won't represent our country in the world championships," Markis told the Jakarta Globe. "In our contract with our sponsor, the worlds is not a mandatory event but the China Masters is.
"We were ready to play in Paris and represent our country. In fact, we were going to use our own money just to get there. But I think we have to think things over now."
The PBSI said the 2007 world champion had failed to file the proper paperwork and therefore could not be entered for the China Masters, which takes place from September 14-19. The world championships take place in Paris from August 23-29.
Expectations
Meanwhile, China must temper its expectations and taking home just three of the five world titles up for grabs is a realistic target, head coach Li Yongbo said.
China won all but the mixed doubles at last year's world championships in India but the outspoken coach said the poor form of some key players this year could weaken their dominance. "Of course I always want all five. But this time we have to be less optimistic," Li told Titan News. "It is impossible to even match last year's four wins."
The Chinese women's team suffered a shock defeat to South Korea in the Uber Cup in May, ending its hold on the trophy that went back to 1998. "The women are still in the shadow of the Uber Cup defeat, and the best men's pair, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, have not played together for months because they represent different clubs in the domestic league. So it is also very difficult," he added.
Lin Dan, who has won the men's singles at the last three worlds, is the only in-form player in the China team, Li said. The Olympic champion, however, faces a tough path to a fourth title with world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in the same side of the draw.
The duo, ranked second in the world, is upset because the Indonesian Badminton Association failed to enter them in the China Masters, a leg of the lucrative Super Series tour.
"If we can't play, then we won't represent our country in the world championships," Markis told the Jakarta Globe. "In our contract with our sponsor, the worlds is not a mandatory event but the China Masters is.
"We were ready to play in Paris and represent our country. In fact, we were going to use our own money just to get there. But I think we have to think things over now."
The PBSI said the 2007 world champion had failed to file the proper paperwork and therefore could not be entered for the China Masters, which takes place from September 14-19. The world championships take place in Paris from August 23-29.
Expectations
Meanwhile, China must temper its expectations and taking home just three of the five world titles up for grabs is a realistic target, head coach Li Yongbo said.
China won all but the mixed doubles at last year's world championships in India but the outspoken coach said the poor form of some key players this year could weaken their dominance. "Of course I always want all five. But this time we have to be less optimistic," Li told Titan News. "It is impossible to even match last year's four wins."
The Chinese women's team suffered a shock defeat to South Korea in the Uber Cup in May, ending its hold on the trophy that went back to 1998. "The women are still in the shadow of the Uber Cup defeat, and the best men's pair, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, have not played together for months because they represent different clubs in the domestic league. So it is also very difficult," he added.
Lin Dan, who has won the men's singles at the last three worlds, is the only in-form player in the China team, Li said. The Olympic champion, however, faces a tough path to a fourth title with world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in the same side of the draw.
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