PBSI pledges changes after All England failure<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (Agencies): The Badminton Association of Indonesia
\n(PBSI) will revise it training programs for the men's singles and
\nmixed doubles following the poor showing of its shuttlers in both
\nevents at the just-concluded All England Open Championships in
\nBirmingham, England.<\/p>\n
PBSI executive training director Christian Hadinata told The
\nJakarta Post on Monday the association had expected its shuttlers
\nin these events to reach the semifinals, at the least, but this
\ntarget was not achieved.<\/p>\n
"I realize that it would have been difficult to win the titles
\nat the All England. But did they really make full use of their
\ntalents in only reaching the third round? It is really
\ndisappointing."<\/p>\n
Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan lost to eventual finalist
\nChen Hong of China in the third round, while two-time All England
\nrunner-up Taufik Hidayat bowed out to Denmark's Anders Boesen.<\/p>\n
In the mixed doubles, the coach's decision to split Olympic
\nsilver medalists Tri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur proved costly.<\/p>\n
Tri and his new partner, Indarti Issoliana, were only able to
\nreach the quarterfinals, as were Minarti and partner Bambang
\nSupriyanto.<\/p>\n
"Compared to their teammates, the men's doubles players had
\nextra training sessions, which helped them ensure an all-
\nIndonesian men's doubles final. And it was outstanding to see
\nthree of our pairs in the semifinals," Christian said.<\/p>\n
Indonesians Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto ousted compatriots
\nCandra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto 15-13, 7-15, 15-7 in 81 minutes
\nto win the All England title on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Tony and Halim upset top seeds and compatriots Flandy Limpele
\nand Eng Hian in the semifinals, while Candra and Sigit, the 1997
\nworld champions, defeated the Malaysian duo of Choong Tan Fook
\nand Lee Wan Wah to reach the final.<\/p>\n
Christian said he was proud of Halim's performance in one of
\nthe world's most prestigious badminton events after being
\nreteamed with former partner Tony.<\/p>\n
"It was hard for Halim when Tony was partnered with Candra
\nback in 1998. He was really floundering without a proper partner
\nwhile we waited for Sigit to come back and compete again after
\nhis one-year ban for drugs.<\/p>\n
"I know he was lacking self-confidence teamed up with Sigit,
\nwho was a world champion, and it is harder for him now with Tony
\nas his new partner after Tony's victory in the Olympics with
\nCandra."<\/p>\n
Christian said he would look closely at the performances of
\nthe men's doubles shuttlers at the World Grand Prix Finals in
\nBrunei from March 28 to April 1.<\/p>\n
"Our main target this year is the World Championships. We will
\nlook at the performances of our men's doubles players at the
\nGrand Prix Finals before deciding which pairs will compete in the
\nbiennial event in Seville in May."<\/p>\n
The Indonesian squad is expected to arrive back home from
\nEngland at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
21-year drought<\/p>\n
Separately in New Delhi, Reuters reported that former champion
\nPrakash Padukone led the applause for Pullela Gopichand, who
\nbecame the first Indian to win the All England men's singles
\ntitle since his triumph in 1980.<\/p>\n
"It's a great day for Indian badminton. It is a red-letter
\nday. He should now concentrate on maintaining the world number
\none position," Padukone said by phone from the southern city of
\nBangalore.<\/p>\n
"Gopi showed his class and authority. There was no element of
\nluck or doubt in his victory," said Padukone, who coached
\nGopichand at his academy.<\/p>\n
Gopichand ended a 21-year Indian drought when he beat China's
\nChen Hong 15-12, 15-6 in Sunday's final.<\/p>\n
Padukone said Gopichand's self-confidence put him ahead of
\nmany talented Indian players who did well at home but failed in
\ninternational tournaments.<\/p>\n
Gopichand, ranked world number 10 going into the
\nchampionships, won his first major international title without
\ndropping a game.<\/p>\n
Vimal Kumar, a former national champion who coached Gopichand
\nat Padukone's academy, said: "It is a victory for the Indian
\nbrand of badminton.<\/p>\n
"Our game revolves around deception, varying pace and
\ndomination at the net. Prakash did not have a good smash but
\nGopichand has it."<\/p>\n
Syed Mohammed Arif, the Indian national coach, praised
\nGopichand's courage in bouncing back from a career-threatening
\nknee injury he suffered in 1994.<\/p>\n
"Many people never play after such a major operation but he is
\na very determined and dedicated player who has come back very,
\nvery strong," he said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pbsi-pledges-changes-after-all-england-failure-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}