Panpel Thomas & Uber Cup Siagakan Water Canon

SEPERTI turnamen atau kejuaraan pada umumnya, Piala Thomas & Uber 2010 juga tak lepas dari pantauan pihak keamanan. Mereka dilibatkan oleh pihak panitia untuk menyukseskan turnamen bulu tangkis beregu dua tahunan itu di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9-16 Mei 2010.


Menurut Anggota Panitia Piala Thomas & Uber 2010 Samsyul Arief bin Mochtar, turnamen seperti Piala Thomas & Uber tak mungkin tanpa kehadiran pihak keamanan. Mereka menjadi bagian yang tak terpisahkan dalam menyukseskan turnamen tersebut.


Karena itu, pihaknya sudah sejak lama menggandeng pihak keamanan dari kepolisian Diraja Malaysia dan angkatan bersenjata sebelum menggelar turnamen tersebut. “Kami sudah melakukan koordinasi dengan mereka sebelum menggelar turnamen ini. Mereka antusias memberikan bantuannya selama berlangsungnya turnamen tersebut,” cetus Syamsyul.


Sayang, pihaknya belum mengetahui berapa detail jumlah pihak keamanan yang turut berperan dalam turnamen itu, khususnya dalam menjaga wilayah di kawasan Juara Stadium yang akan dijadikan tempat bertanding para peserta.


Dia memprediksi terdapat 1.000 pihak keamanan dari pihak kepolisian setempat dan belum termasuk dibantu oleh angkatan bersenjata. “Mungkin bisa lebih jika turnamen memasuki tahap final. Yang jelas, mereka bertugas mengamankan situasi selama pertandingan dengan harapan akan mengangkat imej Malaysia selaku tuan rumah,” ungkapnya.


Saat melakukan investigasi, para petugas dari kepolisian sudah terlihat mengamankan Juara Stadium yang terletak sekitar 50 km dari pusat kota. Mereka disinyalir sudah berada di lokasi sebelum turnamen hari pertama dilangsungkan, Minggu (9/5/2010).


Mereka pun terbagi menjadi beberapa divisi yang bertugas mengamankan wilayah berbeda. Sebagian dari mereka ada yang bertugas di luar stadion, ada yang di dalam berbaur dengan penonton, hingga di area masuk Juara Stadium. Bahkan, kendaraan berat seperti water canon, amphibi atau tank, hingga kendaraan berat lainnya sudah disiagakan untuk menjaga hal tak diinginkan.


Selain itu, mereka juga terlihat mengenakan seragam lengkap hingga polisi yang menyamar atau intel di tempat tersebut. Tujuan mereka tentunya sama, yakni mengamankan perhelatan akbar cabang olahraga (bulu tangkis) yang digelar di Malaysia.


Abdul Razzak selaku salah satu personel kepolisian setempat mengatakan, pihaknya sudah mendapat mandat dari komandannya untuk menjalani misi penting mengamankan jalannya pertandingan. Intinya, pihaknya ditugasi menjaga ketertiban, terutama menghindari adanya kerusuhan yang kemungkinan bakal terjadi saat berlangsungnya turnamen tersebut.


“Keamanan yang kami lakukan di sini mungkin sama dengan tingkat keamanan negara lainnya, termasuk negara Anda saat menjadi tuan rumah turnamen yang sama dua tahun silam. Kami bertekad akan memberikan pelayanan terbaik agar tercipta suasana kondusif selama turnamen itu berlangsung,” pungkasnya.


Abdul yang berjaga di luar lokasi Juara Stadium optimistis dan berharap tak akan terjadi tindak kekerasan selama turnamen itu berlangsung. Tapi, dia bersama rekan lainnya akan tetap waspada menjaga hal yang tak diinginkan. “Kami optimistis tak akan terjadi hal mengerikan seperti yang Anda bayangkan. Sebab, Malaysia cenderung dalam situasi kondusif dan tak terjadi pergolakan saat ini,” tambahnya.

Maria Kristin Punya Resep Kepercayaan Diri

PENCINTA bulu tangkis Tanah Air mungkin tidak asing mendengar nama Maria Kristin Yulianti. Ya, peraih medali perunggu Olimpiade 2008, Beijing, China, itu kembali dipercaya PB PBSI membela Tim Uber Indonesia di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9-16 Mei 2010.


Kehadiran Maria yang memiliki jam terbang sangat tinggi diantara pebulu tangkis putri Indonesia lainnya memang diharapkan akan membantu Tim Uber Indonesia mewujudkan ambisi gelar tahun ini. Namun, bagaimana Maria menyikapi anggapan tersebut?


Maria mengaku akan memberikan hasil terbaik di turnamen bulu tangkis dua tahunan tersebut. Tapi, dia tak dapat menjamin apakah Merah Putih akan berjaya atau paling tidak menyamai rekor dua tahun silam ketika menjadi finalis di kandang sendiri.


“Pastinya akan tampil maksimal, apalagi saya kembali mendapatkan kepercayaan luar biasa memperkuat Indonesia di turnamen tersebut,” pungkas dara cantik asal Tuban, Jawa Timur (Jatim) itu.


Meski demikian, Maria masih berpikir ulang mengenai peluang Indonesia di kancah Piala Uber tahun ini. Bukan meremehkan kualitas pebulu tangkis putri Indonesia yang akan berjuang di Malaysia, tapi lebih disebabkan karena calon lawan Merah Putih terbilang berat seperti China hingga tuan rumah Malaysia.


“China pastinya menjadi kekuatan yang sangat menakutkan, apalagi mereka membawa kekuatan penuh yang terdiri dari pebulu tangkis kelas dunia seperti Wan Chen dan Wang Yihan selaku top ranking BWF saat ini,” ujarnya.


Selain itu, pihaknya juga harus mewaspadai Malaysia yang bakal mendapatkan moral bertanding lebih besar ketimbang negara lainnya. Dukungan fans fanatik mereka diprediksi akan menjadi pelecut semangat tuan rumah tak mau dipermalukan ketika tampil di kandang sendiri.


Namun, Maria memiliki resep yang diharapkan akan membawa dampak positif saat pebulu tangkis putri Indonesia berlaga di Malaysia. Dia ingin rekannya bermain sesuai karakter mereka sendiri meski akan menemui hambatan terjal sekalipun.


“Pertandingan pastinya akan berat jika pemain memandangnya demikian, tapi tidak jika mereka berani tampil dengan kepercayaan yang dimilikinya. Saya optimistis peluang Indonesia akan lebih baik jika kami menerapkannya,” tambahnya.


Source : okezone.com/Koran Seputar Indonesia/Edi Yulianto

Thomas & Uber Cup, Ajang Pemburu Ringgit

MOMENTUM Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 atau adanya event bergengsi lainnya tak lepas dari sorotan pedagang. Para pelaku usaha itu memanfaatkan turnamen bulu tangkis dua tahunan tersebut sebagai ladang emas yang siap meraup ringgit di Negeri Jiran.


Turnamen seperti Thomas & Uber Cup memang menjadi momen paling ditunggu kebanyakan pedagang yang menjajakan beragam barang dagangan. Mereka beranggapan event langka karena digelar dua tahunan itu akan membawa rejeki berlipat dari biasanya.


A Chen misalnya, pedagang Malaysia keturunan China itu optimistis akan meraup keuntungan berlipat dari hari biasanya. Dia menilai turnamen seperti itu akan membawa hoki karena banyaknya pengunjung yang akan berdatangan ke Juara Stadium.


Apalagi, bulu tangkis merupakan salah satu olahraga paling digemari masyarakat Malaysia selain sepak bola. “Saya berharap akan mendapatkan laba besar atas terselenggaranya event tersebut,” kata A Chen, yang akan mencoba peruntungannya menjual boneka.


Selain A Chen, masih banyak pedagang lainnya yang mencoba peruntungan. Mereka pun rela membayar retribusi kepada panitia sebagai syarat menggelar barang dagangannya di pelataran stadion dengan harapan besar meraup banyak ringgit tahun ini.


Source : okezone.com

ONUS ON FAIRUZ-ZAKRY TO PROVE WORTH: DATUK SYED

KUALA LUMPUR (8 MAY 2010) – Malaysia’s second doubles pair of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif will have to prove their worth against Japan in their second Group B match if they want to keep their place.


Team manager Datuk Syed Abu Bakar Abdullah said the pair will be tried out against Japan which could be make or break' for them.


Malaysia are expected to throw in their reserves in their opening Group B match against Nigeria tomorrow (6pm local time) at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.


“Fairuzizuan and Zakry will have to perform against the Japanese. Anything less than a convincing performance will not do them any good. We will not hesitate to replace them,” said Syed Abu Bakar.


It has not been 'smooth sailing' for Fairuzizuan-Zakry and their ability to carry the challenge in the 26th edition of the Thomas Cup has raised serious doubts after the pair were beaten 21-18, 15-21, 17-21 by back-up squad’s Tan Wee Kiong-Mak Hee Chun in a simulation match at Juara Stadium recently.


Malaysia have named Ong Soon Hock-Hoon Thien How as the reserve pair for the doubles and they are expected to be fielded against the Nigerians. World No 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are the top pair.


"I have told the players (both the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup) not to be distracted by anything at this stage. Just remain focused on our mission and give a committed 100 per cent effort,” said Syed Abu Bakar.


Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 and hopes are that as hosts, they will end an 18-year wait to lift the silverware. Malaysia also hosted the Finals in 2000.


Syed Abu Bakar also revealed that Malaysia’s third singles Muhd Hafiz Hashim is in good shape despite having a slight running nose. Veteran Wong Choong Hann will play second singles while Tan Chun Tseang is the reserve.


“We will decide on the lineup for the Nigeria match later tonight,” added Syed Abu Bakar.


Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official WebsiteN

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS DON’T BOTHER JORGENSEN - NOW

KUALA LUMPUR (8 MAY 2010) – Jan O Jorgensen blew 'hot and cold' on his first trip to Asia. That was in 2008 when he played his first Thomas Cup Finals for Denmark.


“We failed to make the semifinals because we lost to Korea (3-2) and I lost my third singles match. It was my first trip to this part of the world. The hot and humid conditions affected me badly physically then,” said Jorgensen.


Today, the Dane is 'ready to do battle' where he is much wiser in his game too.


Jorgensen is set to play the second singles as Denmark aim to break the jinx of not having won the Cup despite making eight appearances in the final.


“I am not only used to the weather conditions in this part of the world but I am also a much better player now. I do not fear playing any of my opponents. Their higher rankings do not rattle me.


“We have a strong and well balanced team that can go all the way. It is a big mission for me and the team.”


Jorgensen has done well in several tournaments in this part of the world, including reaching the final of the China Open last year.


Veteran Peter Gade Christensen, the reigning European champion, is Denmark’s first singles and is looked upon to deliver the morale boosting point for his team in their campaign.


“I know what to expect and I know what is expected of me. I ready for them (my opponents). Yes. We have a good team and our chances are as good as China’s or any other aspiring hopefuls,” added Jorgensen.


Denmark go into the fray tomorrow in Group C with a match against Poland. The other team in the group is Germany. Denmark play Germany in their second match on Tuesday.


Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official Website

NIGERIA YET TO ARRIVE

KUALA LUMPUR ( 8 MAY 2010) – Thomas Cup African qualifiers Nigeria are expected to arrive by 3pm tomorrow – three hours before they face Malaysia in their opening Group B match.


According to Badminton World Federation (BWF) events manager M.Venugopal, Nigeria ran into flight problems after one of the flights from Abuja was cancelled.


“With an eight-hour transit in Dubai, the Nigerians are now expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at the latest by 3pm...which is three hours before they face Malaysia in their opening match,” said Venugopal.


The other team in the group is Japan.


Under BWF rules, a team must arrive at least 48 hours before the competition begins.


“If Nigeria fails to turn up, Malaysia will be awarded the match with a 3-0 scoreline,” said Venugopal. “But there is still time and we hope that they (Nigerians) will arrive in time for the match against Malaysia.”


Nigeria’s second match is against Japan on Monday. Malaysia play Japan in their second match on Tuesday.


Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official Website

GERMANY EYEING HISTORIC THOMAS CUP QUARTER-FINALS

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8, 2010) – European qualifiers Germany are eyeing a historic quarter-final berth in the Thomas Cup Finals which begins at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.


“We have never got past the group stages in our previous four appearances in both the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup, It is time to put an end to this jinx,” said Germany’s Denmark-born coach Jakob Kristensen.


“Reaching the quarter-finals will be an achievement for us. It will be a new milestone for German badminton. The luck of draw pits all the European countries in the same group.”


Germany, Denmark and Poland are drawn in Group C in the Thomas Cup.


“We would have preferred Asian teams in our group...especially Malaysia. But by the luck of the draw we have been drawn against the European teams.


“The Germans love the environment in the Putra Stadium. And we love playing Malaysia in such an environment. The atmosphere here is very motivating.


“The badminton crowd here is far much bigger unlike in Europe. Even in Germany, you get good turnouts only for the semi-finals and finals and that too only on weekends.”


Still, Germany is motivated to beat Poland in their opening Group C match on Monday. In Kristensen’s own words “the luck of draw favours us” as group favourites Denmark take on Poland in the first match tomorrow (Sunday).


“We will know the result of the Denmark-Poland match and know what to do when we play the Poles. There is some prestige in our match against Poland as we want to send out strong signal that we are one of the top badminton nations in Europe,” added Kristensen.


Germany are also pumped up to get the better of Denmark in their second match on Tuesday.


Denmark blanked Germany 3-0 in the European qualifying round semi-finals. According to Kristensen, the scoreline looks flattering for Denmark but “the matches were close” and some of the ties were decided over the full distance.


Germany’s top singles player is Marc Zwiebler, who won the bronze in the recent European Championships in Manchester. Their top doubles pair Ingo Kindervater-Michael Fuchs also took the bronze in the same championships.


Source : Thomas & Uber Cup 2010 Official Website