Uber Cup team members come under fire<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the Indonesian Uber Cup team's success
\nin reaching the final stage of the event in Kuala Lumpur in May,
\nit has drawn criticisms from former athletes, the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI), and a former official of the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PBSI).<\/p>\n
Former badminton queen Susy Susanti said on Sunday at the
\nwedding of men's singles shuttler Hariyanto Arbi that she
\nexpected her juniors to be more serious in their international
\nperformances.<\/p>\n
\"I see that some of my juniors have yet to realize their
\nresponsibilities as national shuttlers. Sometimes they don't
\nrealize that they are competing for the country, PBSI and
\nthemselves,\" said Susy, who is five-months pregnant.<\/p>\n
Indonesia defeated Hong Kong 3-1 in the playoffs to claim the
\nthird place ticket to the final stage. South Korea and Japan have
\nalready earned two tickets. The three countries will join
\nDenmark, the Netherlands and Sweden from the European zone,
\ndefending champions China and host Malaysia in the event.<\/p>\n
Susy said the shuttlers never appeared guilty when they failed
\nat a tournament.<\/p>\n
\"They don't feel sorry about their failure and only think that
\ntheir opponents are better. They don't realize that their loss
\nmay have been due to their own lack of self-discipline,\" said the
\n1992 Olympic Games gold medalist.<\/p>\n
Former PBSI chairman Surjadi urged PBSI officials to pay
\nshuttlers more attention to overcome influences in the dormitory.<\/p>\n
\"I'm still paying attention to our athlete's performances in
\ntournaments. I see that the real world has influenced the life in
\nthe dormitories and that has made athletes more likely to break
\nPBSI rules,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Surjadi said due to this influence, PBSI officials needed to
\nsacrifice more to groom their athletes better.<\/p>\n
\"What happens in their surroundings will also influence their
\npersonal life and it gets carried on court. PBSI needs to pay
\nattention to this matter,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"If today's officials treat the shuttlers as we did during my
\nleadership period, it will not be enough anymore. Athletes need
\nmore attention from officials.\"<\/p>\n
The council's vice chairman Arie Sudewo and chairman of PBSI
\nboard of patrons Try Sutrisno shared the same feelings on PBSI's
\nneed to groom younger female athletes to replace their seniors.<\/p>\n
\"I feel relieved and happy knowing the country's Uber Cup team
\nqualified for the final stage,\" said Arie on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"I'm happy because younger shuttlers, including Yuli Marfuah,
\nput in a good performance in such a prestigious event. Our second
\nstringers are ready to replace their seniors,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Try said, \"I only want to see PBSI groom young athletes who
\nare ready to replace their seniors in international events.\"<\/p>\n
Arie also said coaches would have to evaluate the shuttler's
\nperformances in the qualification rounds.<\/p>\n
\"Coaches still have time to improve athletes performance
\nbefore competing in Kuala Lumpur. At least, our shuttlers know
\nthe strength of their Asian opponents,\" he said. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/uber-cup-team-members-come-under-fire-1447893297",
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