Shuttlers 'need better future'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 1992 Olympic singles gold medalist Alan
\nBudikusuma has urged the Badminton Association of Indonesia to
\nstart considering national shuttlers' future after they retire.<\/p>\n
\"The association should assist players if they want to
\ncontinue studying or start working. The association currently
\ndoes not care about players after they are dismissed from the
\nnational training center,\" he told reporters yesterday.<\/p>\n
Alan said his club, Djarum, had helped its shuttlers study or
\nfind work for years.<\/p>\n
\"Players don't have to be worried about their futures. China
\nand South Korea also do the same thing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old player said all shuttlers in the center in
\nCipayung, East Jakarta, were preparing themselves just in case
\nthey are dismissed without notice by the association.<\/p>\n
\"It happened to Yuliani Sentosa and Yuni Kartika. It could
\nhappen to all of us,\" said Alan.<\/p>\n
Yuliani and Yuni were among the shuttlers dismissed by the
\nassociation last year due to their unimpressive performances in
\ninternational events.<\/p>\n
The association plans to reduce the number of athletes being
\ngroomed at the center from the current figure of 76 to around 50.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure the association will reduce the number of players
\nafter the Indonesian Open next month,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Alan's wife Susi Susanti, also a 1992 Olympic gold medalist,
\nexpressed concern over the reduction, especially in the women's
\nsingles.<\/p>\n
\"We don't have enough women's singles players. If the
\nassociation wants to reduce the number, who will play?\" she said.<\/p>\n
Susi said Indonesia relied on herself and Mia Audina, the 1996
\nOlympic silver medalist, in the women's singles. China, by
\ncomparison, has many more players.<\/p>\n
\"Last year, I still had Yuliani and Yuni as my backups,
\nbesides Mia. But now, other second stringers have yet to perform
\nto their best ability,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Cindana, Meluawati and Lydia Djaelawidjaja have not been
\nshowing consistent form. Third stringers Yuli Marfuah and Ellen
\nstill need time to gain more experience of playing in major
\ntournaments.<\/p>\n
Susi, who attended the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship
\npress conference yesterday, is looking to win her first title of
\nthe year and to retain her World Cup title.<\/p>\n
The US$200,000 championship, which will be the last one staged
\nby the International Badminton Federation, will take place at the
\nSasana Among Raga stadium in Yogyakarta from Aug. 20 to Aug. 24.<\/p>\n
Joko Suprianto, Hariyanto Arbi, Indra Wijaya, Candra Wijaya,
\nSigit Budiarto, Ricky Subadja, Rexy Mainaky, Tri Kusherjanto and
\nImam Tohari will represent Indonesia in the men's sides.<\/p>\n
Susi, Mia, Cindana, Eliza, Zelin Resiana, Indarti Isolina,
\nDeyana Lomban, Minarti Timur and Emma Ermawati will fight in the
\nwomen's competition.<\/p>\n
China will send defending champion Dong Jiong, Sun Jun, Lou
\nYigang, Ye Zhaoying, Gong Zhichao, Wang Chen, Ge Fei, Gu Jun, Qin
\nYiyuan, Ton Yongshu. Liu Yong, Tao Xiaoqiang and Ge Cheng. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shuttlers-need-better-future-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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