Hendrawan concerned about the development of junior players<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): World number four Hendrawan expressed concern
\nabout his juniors' development regarding the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia's (PBSI) inability to provide funds
\nnecessary to send shuttlers abroad to the World Grand Prix
\nseries.<\/p>\n
\"If PBSI maintains its current (financial) condition and does
\nnot start looking for alternative sources, I'm afraid that my
\njuniors can only dream of competing in tournaments abroad,\"
\nHendrawan told reporters after a training session on Friday at
\nthe Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Hendrawan was commenting on complaints that PBSI made,
\nregarding its Rp 370 million (US$37,000) deficit after sending 28
\nshuttlers to the just-concluded All England tournament in
\nBirmingham, England, last week.<\/p>\n
\"I appreciate Pak Subagyo's (Hadisiswoyo, PBSI chairman)
\neffort in raising money to finance our departure to the All
\nEngland. But I think PBSI officials must work harder to earn more
\nmoney to finance our expenses.<\/p>\n
\"We have already handed over 50 percent of our sponsorship fee
\nto PBSI. Will we have to contribute 75 percent of our income?
\nWhat will we be left with?<\/p>\n
Hendrawan, who took home the 2000 Sydney Olympics silver
\nmedal, said PBSI will have to spend the same amount to send
\neither world-class shuttlers or juniors to the one-star or five-
\nstar tournaments.<\/p>\n
\"Juniors need to compete in between six and eight tournaments
\nper year to gain experience. Will PBSI dare to finance them
\nknowing that they will go home empty-handed?<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old shuttler also expressed his disappointment at
\nPBSI officials who blamed athletes for their failure in the All
\nEngland.<\/p>\n
Only men's doubles Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto managed to
\nwin a title after beating compatriots Candra Wijaya and Sigit
\nBudiarto in the final.<\/p>\n
Competitors from Indonesia failed to improve on their previous
\nperformances especially the men's singles where last year's
\nfinalist Taufik Hidayat bowed out to Danish lesser-known Anders
\nBoesen in the third round. Hendrawan himself lost to finalist
\nChen Hong of China.<\/p>\n
\"I know that Taufik fought really hard and it's not his fault
\nthat he couldn't reach his peak at the All England especially
\nafter facing many problems prior to the event.<\/p>\n
Taufik was banned from the Korea Open in January and the
\nupcoming World Grand Prix Finals after verbal attacks on Subagyo.
\nHe later protested at PBSI's decision not to renew his coach
\nMulyo Handoyo's contract, who has only been hired until the World
\nChampionships in Seville, Spain, in May.<\/p>\n
\"PBSI officials don't have to blame me due to my failure in
\nthe All England. I really regretted my decision to compete there
\nbecause I realized that I wasn't prepared for the event.<\/p>\n
\"I have told Pak Subagyo that my main target this year is the
\nWorld Championships but I should not have made the All England
\ntournament a milestone to reach my goal.<\/p>\n
\"I feel guilty and I don't need other people to point their
\nfingers at me (to make me realize that).<\/p>\n
Hendrawan said he accepted not being sent to the Japan Open
\nearly next month as a consequence of his poor result.<\/p>\n
\"I want to improve my world ranking but I accept the fact that
\nPBSI feels I don't deserve the chance to compete in Japan
\nalthough I reached the final there last year.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully I'll perform well enough in the World Grand Prix
\nFinals in Brunei Darussalam which takes place from March 28 to
\nApril 1. A good result will improve my ranking for a good draw in
\nthe World Championships. However, I must be ready to face a tough
\nchallenge starting in the biennial event's quarterfinals.
\n(nvn\/yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hendrawan-concerned-about-the-development-of-junior-players-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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