Indonesian Uber Cup team pleased with schedule change

JAKARTA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Uber Cup team welcomed Thursday a decision by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to revise the match schedule that initially saw the country play two opponents in a single day.

In the schedule released on April 29, Indonesia next Monday must take on the Netherlands and Japan, both considered to be tough rivals in the international women's badminton team championship.

The schedule has triggered protests from Indonesian officials, who then threatened to withdraw from the tournament which it hosts.

"The new schedule makes everything better, not only for Indonesia, but also for everybody," team manager Susi Susanti told reporters here.

"The matches are arranged to allow live broadcast and benefit sponsors. We as a host will get more live broadcasts," said Susi, herself was a historic figure in the sport after winning gold medal when badminton became a medal event in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic.

She made the remarks after the BWF released a new schedule, in which Indonesia plays Japan on Sunday and the Netherlands the following day.