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)