PBSI must recruit young men's doubles talent, coaches say<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's domination of the international
\nmen's doubles badminton scene is in jeopardy with the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PBSI) having difficulties recruiting
\nnew talent to be second stringers at its training center.<\/p>\n
\"We have three of the world's strongest men's doubles
\npartnerships but we are lacking second string players to continue
\nour future domination,\" junior doubles coach Sigit Pamungkas told
\nThe Jakarta Post on Thursday at the Indonesian Badminton Center
\n(PBI).<\/p>\n
\"It's very important to prepare younger men's doubles players,
\nespecially to continue our tradition of Olympic gold during the
\n2004 Athens Olympics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has three strong doubles pairs in world champions
\nTony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto, 1997 world champions Candra
\nWijaya and Sigit Budiarto, and the world's sixth-ranked pair
\nFlandy Limpele and Eng Hian.<\/p>\n
Men's doubles coach Herry Imam Pierngadi echoed the concern,
\nsaying that PBI would need at least six young pairs to back up
\nthe seniors.<\/p>\n
\"Ideally, each senior pair is covered by two younger pairs. We
\nwon't have any threat in the next two years but we must continue
\nrecruiting young shuttlers to contend the 2004 Olympics,\" Herry
\ntold the Post during a gathering at Tangkas Bogasari club to
\ngreet world champion Hendrawan.<\/p>\n
\"I will directly recommend talented juniors to join the center
\nto boost their skills by training with the seniors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Herry said that he has selected Alven Yulianto Chandra and
\nHendra Gunawan to train with the seniors.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been a dominating force in men's doubles
\nbadminton, most notably since Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky
\nclaimed the world number one post in 1993 and then took the 1996
\nOlympic gold.<\/p>\n
Their domination was advanced when Candra and Sigit claimed
\nthe 1997 world championship and then Candra and Tony took the
\n2000 Olympic gold.<\/p>\n
Sigit Pamungkas said eight potential young players would be
\nrecruited to the center following his assessment at the recently
\nconcluded Milo Indonesian Junior Open in Surakarta, Central Java.<\/p>\n
\"PBSI must admit them now in order to maintain the domination.
\nWe hope the young players will manage to reach their peak form
\nfor the Athens Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"PBSI also has to recruit the under-16 girl's doubles players
\nfor long-term preparation. It's important for PBSI to evaluate
\nthe shuttlers' individual performances instead of as a pair. It's
\nmore advantageous to recruit individually,\" Sigit said.<\/p>\n
PBSI will send its juniors to compete at the Asian Junior
\nChampionships in Taipei from July 8 to July 14 and aims to
\ngain a finals berth.<\/p>\n
Ardiansyah, Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Markis Kido of PBI, and
\nAndika Pradana Wicaksana of West Java will play in the boy's
\nsingles, while Silvi Antarini, Dewi Tira and Ricasari of PBI, and
\nLilyana Natsir of Tangkas Bogasari will play in the girl's
\nsingles.<\/p>\n
Endang Nursugianti and Lita Nurlita, Monica and Devi Sukma,
\nand Rani Mundiasti and Lina Marlina will compete in the girls
\ndoubles.<\/p>\n
PBSI must recruit shuttlers from clubs for the boys doubles --
\nTiton Gustaman and Rian Sukmawan of West Java, Hendra Setiawan
\nand Joko Riyadi of Jaya Raya, and Gordon Ruben and Devin Lahardi
\nof Djarum Kudus -- since it has no under-19 shuttlers for the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
The mixed doubles will comprise of Titon and Lita, Devin and
\nEndang, Gordon and Devi, Hendra and Lina, Rian and Monica, and
\nJoko and Rani. (nvn)<\/p>",
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