Thomas, Uber Cup teams announced

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 30. World No. 1 Peter Gade-Christensen and No. 3 Poul- Erik Hoyer-Larsen will provide the main strength to Denmark in its challenge in the Thomas Cup badminton finals to be held at Kuala Lumpur from May 11 to 21.

The Chinese women's team, with four of the top five in the world available to play the singles, not to speak of two of the top three doubles combinations of the world ready to join battle, looks as formidable as ever in the Uber Cup finals.

India, which will be making its comeback into the Thomas Cup finals after a gap of 12 years, is grouped with Denmark, Malaysia and Korea in the Blue Group, while in the other (Yellow) group, China is clubbed with Indonesia, England and Sweden.

The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has released the following entries for the two competitions:

Thomas Cup:

China: Xia Xuanze, Ji Xinpeng, Luo Yigang, Chen Hong, Sun Jun, Zhang Wei, Zhang Jun, Yu Jinhao, Chen Qiqiu and Liu Yong.

Denmark: Peter Gade-Christensen, Poul- Erik Hoyer-Larsen, Kenneth Jonassen, Anders Boessen, Martin Lundgaard Hansen, Lars Paaske, Jesper Larsen, Jens Eriksen, Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen.

England: Colin Haughton, Darren Hall, Mark Constable, Michael Edge, Anthony Clark, Chris Hunt, Nathan Robertson, Julian Robertson, Simon Archer and Ian Sullivan.

India: P. Gopi Chand, Nikhil Kanetkar, Sidharth Jain, Chetan Anand, Sachin Ratti, Markose Bristow, George Thomas, Jaseel P. Ismail and Vijaydeep Singh.

Indonesia: Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Marleve Mainkay, Heryanto Arbi, Chandra Wijaya, Tony Gunawan, Ricky Subagja, Rexy Mainaky, Antonius Budi Arianth and Sigit Budiarto.

Korea: Shon Seung Mo, Ahn Jae Chang, Lee Hyun Il, Park Tae Sang, Kim Dong Moon, Ha Tae Kwon, Lee Dong Soo and Yoo Yong Sung.

Malaysia: Wong Choon Han, Ong Ewe Hock, Rashid Sidek, Roslin Hashim, Chan Chong Ming, Lee Wang Wah Choong Tan Fook, Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock.

Sweden: Thomas Johansson, Rasmus Wengberg, Rikard Magnusson, Martin Hagberg, Daniel Eriksson, Per- Henrik Croona, Par-Gunnar Jonsson, Peter Axelsson, Henrik Andersson and Frederik Bergstrom.

Uber Cup:

China: Gong Zhichao, Dai Yun, Ye Zhaoying, Gong Ruina, Huang Nanyan, Gu Jun, Gao Ling, Yang Wei, Ge Fei and Qin Yiyuan.

Denmark: Camilla Martin, Mette Sorensen, Mette Pedersen, Tine Rasmussen, Helen Kirkegaard, Rikke Olsen, Ann-Lou Jorgensen, Mette Shjoldager, Majken Vange and Pernille Harder.

Indonesia: Lydia Djaelwijaya, Ellen Angelina, Yuli Marfuah, Ninik Masrikah, Eliza Nathanael, Deyna Lomban, Etty Tantri, Cynthia Tuwankotta, Minarti Timur and Zelin Resiana,

Japan: Yasuko Mizui, Kanako Yonekura, Takako Ida, Miho Tanaka, Chikako Nakayama, Yoshiko Iwata, Hiromi Yamada, Haruko Matsuda and Naomi Murakami.

Korea: Kim Ji Hyun, Lee Kyung Won, Kim Kyeung Ran, Si Jin Sun, Lee Hyo Jung, Yim Kyung Jin, Chung Jae Hee, Jung Yeon Kyung and Kim So Yeon.

Malaysia: Wong Miew Kheng, Woon Sze Mei, Lee Yin Yin, Wong Pei Tty, Lim Pek Siah, Ang Li Peng, Norhasikin Amin, Joanna Swee Ling Quay and Chor Hooi Yee.

The Netherlands: Judith Meulendijks, Brenda Beenhakker, Karina De Wit, Lonneke Janssen, Carolien Glebbeek, Erica van den Heuyel, Nicole van Hooren, Lotte Jonathans and Betty Krab.

Sweden: Marina Andrievskaya, Margit Borg, Karolina Ericsson, Johanna Holgersson, Johana Persson, Sara Persson, Jenny Karlsson, Anna Lundin, Pernilla Pariola and Elin Bergblom.

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