30 juniors enter training camp

30 juniors enter training camp

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
announced on Monday its list of junior shuttlers to be admitted
to the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

Secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata told reporters that all
the juniors had satisfied the five criteria set by the
association.

"The criteria are their tournament achievements, basic
potential, health checkup results, prospects and, finally,
physical fitness. Another criterion is their mental state, but we
do not include it as an indicator as it can be flexible in
certain circumstances," he said.

Jakarta dominates the list by sending 15 shuttlers to the
training center, followed by East Java (5), West Java (5) and
Central Java (2).

The PBSI has also invited two boy's doubles from East
Kalimantan -- Robby Istanto and Yusuf Ahmad -- and a girl's
singles from South Sulawesi -- Fitria Firdaus -- to the center.

Leo said no age limit was set for the admission of the
juniors.

"If the PBSI considers that the shuttlers are too old to be
included in the junior section, we'll consider the possibility of
their joining the senior team."

Junior shuttlers will face annual promotion and relegation in
the center.

"We are still looking for the proper promotion and relegation
system. Currently, we only relegate two shuttlers each time while
admitting more than 10.

"The other problem is that a shuttler needs five to six years
before he or she can turn into a world-class player. We can't
expect much from the juniors who have only been in the center for
one year."

Leo said the juniors would have the chance to compete in one
and two-star tournaments during their stay in the center.

"We'll see how their development goes during these
tournaments. We won't automatically set high targets for them but
we'll supervise them regularly. We must also consider our budget.
Hopefully we can send the juniors to overseas tournaments on an
ongoing basis," he said.

Jakarta is sending Wiempi Mahardi Sidharta, Ardiansyah, Markis
Kido, Anggun Nugroho and Taufik Hidayat in the boys' singles;
Richasari Pawestri and Silvi Antarini in the girls' singles; Tri
Heru Pamungkas, Denny Setiawan and Yan Peter in the boys'
doubles; and Devi Sukma Wijaya, Rani Mundiasti, Ronne Maykel
Runtulalu, Endang Nur Sugianti and Novita in the girls' doubles.

West Java is sending Imam Sodikin in the boys' doubles; Monica
Permadi and Lita Nurita in the girls' doubles; and Lina Marliana
and Hendra A.G. in the mixed doubles.

East Java is sending Sonny Dwi Kuncoro in the boys' singles,
Dewi Tira Arisandi in the girls' singles, Alven Yulianto Chandra
in the boys' doubles, Ernita and Yunita Tetty in the girls'
doubles. Meanwhile, Central Java is only sending Maria Elfira
Christina and Dian Novita Sari in the girls' singles. (ivy)