Badminton center may get overhaul

Badminton center may get overhaul

JAKARTA (JP): Disappointed with the results of the Sudirman
Cup and Badminton World Championships, chairman of the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, has
insisted on a total recondition of the National Training Center.

Subagyo said on Thursday that due to shuttlers poor form in
both events in Copenhagen last month the first thing to do was to
have a thorough evaluation.

Indonesia only reached the Sudirman Cup semifinals and none of
its players went through to the World Championships' semifinals.
The results were the worst in national badminton history since
both events started.

"We must know what are our weaknesses and our opponents
strengths. We must evaluate our development programs physically,
technically and mentally," he said after handing over a medal and
Hall of Fame certificate from the International Badminton
Federation (IBF) to Sudirman's wife, Mariani Sudirman.

Subagyo said he has yet to see a strong fighting spirit among
athletes when they compete in important tournaments.

"They seemed very unsure of their skills and themselves. It's
not only about the spirit but also their self-confidence. Their
different backgrounds and physical appearances could give an
impact to their confidence."

Subagyo, a four-star general and Army chief of staff, said
PBSI would also reshuffle coaches in the women's singles and
doubles.

"The women's players, singles and doubles, will be handled by
male coaches. It's not because we think female coaches are unable
to do their jobs but we saw during the Sudirman Cup and World
Championships our women's shuttlers had bigger motivation.
Hopefully by having male coaches, they will train more
intensively and optimally," he said, without mentioning any
names.

But, national training director Christian Hadinata declined to
give further details, saying that the details must wait until
Subagyo signs the decision letter.

"Wait until next week, hopefully we can release the new
coaches' names," he said.

PBSI official in charge of athletes development, Mangombar
Ferdinand Siregar, said the women's coaches would likely help his
division in talent scouting and monitoring training.

Siregar has also arranged training programs, tournament
schedules and targets for the Thomas and Uber Cups, the Olympics
2000, the 2001 Sudirman Cup and World Championships and for the
long-term period.

"Now, our short-term target is not only to qualify for the
Olympics but also to win the golds," he said.

PBSI will have three terms in which to prepare athletes for
the Olympics 2000; the first term is from now to December, the
second term is from December to May 2000, and the final term is
from May to September.

World-class athletes still have 10 tournaments this year. They
are the Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the
Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, China and Hong Kong Opens and the
Grand Prix Finals.

Next year, from January to April, athletes still have chances
to collect points in the Korea, Chinese Taipei, All England,
Sweden, Swiss or French and Japan Opens.

"In the different periods, shuttlers don't have to win the
grand prix series. It's more important to arrange their peak in
the most important tournaments," he said.

Another point to be improved is discipline in the dormitory.
Now, each room will accommodate two players, instead of one, to
improve communications among them and for efficiency.

"Athletes must attend morning and evening meetings everyday.
If they make mistakes, we must punish them in educative ways. For
instance, by ordering them to run several laps or give extra
practice time," Subagyo said.

Three athletes were punished after being caught returning home
in the morning. But Subagyo declined to name the athletes.

"Athletes must be taught to be responsible for their behavior.
If they show good behavior, we'll reward them, but if they are
bad, we must punish them," Subagyo said.

To support the training, PBSI has renovated the training hall,
focused more on the athletes' nutrition, including appointing a
new catering service, and has added to the training sessions.
(yan)