Badminton queen Susy urges parents' backing in sport
Badminton queen Susy urges parents' backing in sport
JAKARTA (JP): Lack of parental support is hindering the
recruitment of young female badminton players which, if it
continues, could damage the sport's development, former Badminton
Queen Susy Susanti says.
Speaking on the sidelines of a National Sports Council (KONI)
business gathering on Monday, Susy said many parents in Indonesia
doubted that sport could provide for their daughters' future.
"Many parents come to me asking if sports are a prosperous
career for their children. I can only say it depends on the kids.
If they work really hard to reach the best, they can get the
payback, as I did," she said.
Susy was concerned about the recent poor performances of
female badminton players in the Grand Prix series and about their
chances in the Olympic Games in Sydney in September.
Susy won an Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992 and a bronze in
1996 in Atlanta. She won four All England titles in 1990, 1991,
1993 and 1994. She also won the World Grand Prix Finals six
times.
"My parents gave me all their support and attention, which
encouraged me to do my best during my career. People only see my
success but they fail to see that I had to walk a hard path to
it," said the mother of Laurencia Averina and Albertus Edward.
Susy remembered when she had to compete in the qualifying
rounds of the one-star German Open in the 1980s.
"Can you imagine that Indonesia was not recognized in a
badminton tournament in Germany? It was terrible. But that
experience taught people to be tough."
Soon after winning the Olympics gold, Susy received gifts from
businesspeople including houses, cars and cash.
"If athletes perform well at international events, people will
automatically appreciate their achievements and they won't have
to be afraid about prize money," she said.
Susy, 29, urged the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
to keep recruiting young talented under-15 girls to its long-term
training program.
"Now we only have a limited number of shuttlers. Let them stay
in the national team but PBSI must get younger ones in the
training center. In my time, only five out of 20 shuttlers were
successful in international events. Others had to step aside as
they failed in tough competitions."
She also said the PBSI should not only recruit winners of
national circuits.
"Talented players, even though they don't win circuits, must
also be recruited. With the right training programs, they can be
achievers. For example, Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles. Who
remembers that he always used to lose during the juniors but he
has the talent. PBSI must not be afraid of recruiting good talent
and ignore the interests of its chapters," she said, adding that
she planned to spend some of her time motivating young female
players in the future. (yan)
JAKARTA (JP): Lack of parental support is hindering the
recruitment of young female badminton players which, if it
continues, could damage the sport's development, former Badminton
Queen Susy Susanti says.
Speaking on the sidelines of a National Sports Council (KONI)
business gathering on Monday, Susy said many parents in Indonesia
doubted that sport could provide for their daughters' future.
"Many parents come to me asking if sports are a prosperous
career for their children. I can only say it depends on the kids.
If they work really hard to reach the best, they can get the
payback, as I did," she said.
Susy was concerned about the recent poor performances of
female badminton players in the Grand Prix series and about their
chances in the Olympic Games in Sydney in September.
Susy won an Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992 and a bronze in
1996 in Atlanta. She won four All England titles in 1990, 1991,
1993 and 1994. She also won the World Grand Prix Finals six
times.
"My parents gave me all their support and attention, which
encouraged me to do my best during my career. People only see my
success but they fail to see that I had to walk a hard path to
it," said the mother of Laurencia Averina and Albertus Edward.
Susy remembered when she had to compete in the qualifying
rounds of the one-star German Open in the 1980s.
"Can you imagine that Indonesia was not recognized in a
badminton tournament in Germany? It was terrible. But that
experience taught people to be tough."
Soon after winning the Olympics gold, Susy received gifts from
businesspeople including houses, cars and cash.
"If athletes perform well at international events, people will
automatically appreciate their achievements and they won't have
to be afraid about prize money," she said.
Susy, 29, urged the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
to keep recruiting young talented under-15 girls to its long-term
training program.
"Now we only have a limited number of shuttlers. Let them stay
in the national team but PBSI must get younger ones in the
training center. In my time, only five out of 20 shuttlers were
successful in international events. Others had to step aside as
they failed in tough competitions."
She also said the PBSI should not only recruit winners of
national circuits.
"Talented players, even though they don't win circuits, must
also be recruited. With the right training programs, they can be
achievers. For example, Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles. Who
remembers that he always used to lose during the juniors but he
has the talent. PBSI must not be afraid of recruiting good talent
and ignore the interests of its chapters," she said, adding that
she planned to spend some of her time motivating young female
players in the future. (yan)