JAKARTA - Defending Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia has been hospitalised with dengue fever and is not certain to defend his title at next month's Beijing Games.

Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat plays a shot against England's Rajiv Ouseph during the quarter-final of the Thomas Cup badminton championship in this May 14, 2008 file photo. Taufik has been hospitalised with dengue fever and is not certain to defend his title at next month's Beijing Games.[Agencies]

"I'm still sick, please ask the doctor," Taufik told Reuters by telephone on Monday when asked whether he would be able to play.

His manager said the 26-year-old Taufik should still make it to Beijing.

"His condition now is weak but he's getting better," said Mulyo Handoyo.

Taufik, known for his fiery outbursts on court, skipped the Indonesian national sports week this month in a bid to avoid injuries before the Olympics, which start on August 8.

Indonesia is expected to send 24 athletes to Beijing, mostly in the badminton team.