SUDIRMAN CUP 2011 – Indonesia minus all 4 World Champs

Indonesian mixed doubles star Lilyana Natsir © Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto

The Indonesian Sudirman Cup chances  suffered yet another blow.  Lilyana Natsir (pictured) became the fourth past World Champion who was expected to be in action in Qingdao to recuse herself.  Natsir, who topped the mixed doubles world in 2005 and 2007, has been sidelined by an injury sustained during the Indian Open, according to a report by the Jakarta Globe.

The Globe also reported that 2005 World Champion Taufik Hidayat had not intended to play the Sudirman event, but rather had included his name to enable the team to capture a seeding with the Badminton World Federation’s new team ranking system.

“I think this is the right time for the younger generation to have a bigger role in representing our country in major international tournaments,” Taufik told the Globe.

Indonesia’s initial roster appeared with the glaring absence of Beijing gold medallists Markis Kido / Hendra Setiawan.  In all three disciplines, however, the traditional badminton power has a backup ranked no lower than #12 in the world, with Bona Septano / Muhammad Ahsan, Fran Kurniawan / Pia Zebadiah Bernadet, and Simon Santoso in men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and men’s singles respectively.

The complete team rosters for the Sudirman Cup tournament, which kicks off on Sunday, are available HERE.