Change will do Indonesian badminton some good<\/p>\n
The dominant force in women's badminton in the 1990s, Susy
\nSusanti took all the major international singles titles.
\nUnfortunately, it's been lean days for Indonesian women since her
\nretirement in 1998. What will it take to get back on the
\nchampion's podium?<\/p>\n
Our badminton is in a slump, particularly for the women, and
\nmuch of it has to do with our lateness in stepping up the effort
\nfor regeneration.<\/p>\n
When Mia Audina decided to marry and move to the Netherlands
\n(1999), it left a gap that was too wide to be bridged
\nimmediately. The players one level below her were not ready to
\ntake over, and struggled in the attempt to enter the top ranks.<\/p>\n
Essentially, Mia's departure caused a loss of one generation
\nin our badminton hopes.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) made a big
\nmistake. It had been overly confident about Mia's future and
\nneglected other players.<\/p>\n
Actually, there were seven players at the training center at
\nabout the same time as her, but, being older than her and deemed
\nas not having the same potential, they were gradually discarded.<\/p>\n
Those players looked abroad -- the United States, Australia,
\nCanada or Malaysia -- to continue their careers. They may not
\nhave turned out to be world beaters, but they have done OK.<\/p>\n
PBSI should have retained them, for their continued presence
\nin the training camp would have given badminton a future.<\/p>\n
With tournament experience and relatively better honed skills,
\nthey could have been used as practice partners for young
\nshuttlers. It would have played a role in bridging that gap left
\nby Mia's departure.<\/p>\n
To groom future champions, something must be done about the
\ntraining program.<\/p>\n
PBSI currently sticks to a recruitment framework in which the
\nplayers are already compelled to play a specific event from an
\nearly age.<\/p>\n
For instance, players are stamped as singles players only; if
\nthey fail to perform, then they are dropped.<\/p>\n
Why just dump them like that? They may have potential in
\ndoubles or mixed doubles. Try them.<\/p>\n
I think PBSI should go back to the example of my day, when
\nplayers under 18 were allowed to play all three events (Susy was
\nthe junior singles and doubles champion). They become all
\nrounders, physically and mentally, and learn to vary their
\nstrokes, and also court speed.<\/p>\n
China is the badminton powerhouse today thanks to its tireless
\neffort in pursuing regeneration.<\/p>\n
It probably finds it easier to spot new, young talent because
\nthe government gets behind the campaign by providing guarantees
\nof future welfare for successful athletes. South Korea, Thailand
\nand Vietnam have begun to do the same.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we do not offer that future security to our
\ncountry's athletes.Instead, parents wonder how their children
\nwill make ends meet once their playing days are over.<\/p>\n
And the government should remember that badminton is the only
\nsport in which we have been able to win Olympic gold.<\/p>\n
There is no disputing that Indonesia has abundant talent in
\nthe sport, but PBSI needs to work harder to turn things around.
\nThe first step is they must try to repopularize the sport, which
\nhas suffered diminished appreciation among the public in recent
\nyears.<\/p>\n
PBSI is trying to cooperate with the national education
\nministry for the sport to be taught as an extracurricular
\ndiscipline. That's a good step, an encouraging change in policy.<\/p>\n
Transparency and professionalism on the part of PBSI is also a
\nmust in the future. When it comes to sharing information about
\nthe value of a sponsor's contract, PBSI must be transparent
\n(Indonesian players do not receive prize money as individuals,
\nbut it is divided up among all members of the national training
\ncenter in a collective system).<\/p>\n
PBSI cannot be seen to be partial or playing favorites. A
\nchampion deserves the best in order to spur others to do their
\nbest. Taufik Hidayat reaped financial rewards after winning the
\nmen's singles gold in Athens, and he deserved them.<\/p>\n
His feat, and rewards, should motivate others.<\/p>\n
It will be tough for Indonesian women to catch up with the
\nworld, but, with hard work and change, I am optimistic we can
\nbecome champions once again.<\/p>\n
Susy Susanti talked to The Jakarta Post's Musthofid and Bruce
\nEmond.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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