Boycotting coaches want PBSI to focus on youth

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Coaches boycotted last weekend's Thomas and Uber Cup simulation matches to send a message to badminton's governing body the PBSI to improve its development and handling of young players, according to national coach Joko Supriyanto.

Two days of simulation matches were held on Batam island, during which national players competed against each other as the PBSI works to form a lineup for the Thomas and Uber Cups in Jakarta in May.

However, the only coach to take part in the simulation was Mulyo Handoyo, which could set back preparations for the May event.

"We used the moment to get the attention of the PBSI," Joko said as quoted by Antara at the national training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Joko said the coaches objected to the way the PBSI handled matters when it came to sending young players overseas for their development.

Joko, who received the 2003 coach of the year award from the tabloid Bola last week, said the PBSI often turned down at the last minute proposals by coaches for young athletes to take part in overseas tournaments, on the pretext of budget constraints.

"The coaches submit the names long before the tournament, with visas and financing already in hand, but three or four days prior to departure, the PBSI decides not to let them go. They cite financial constraints. This surely has an effect on the mental state of the players," Joko said.

Defending champion Indonesia has been grouped with China and the United States in the men's Thomas Cup, while in the women's Uber Cup it has been grouped with China and The Netherlands.

For long-term development, Joko said it was important to send players to overseas tournaments. He said that if the PBSI failed to address this issue, there would be no new players ready to step up and take over for the older stars.

Joko said that some coaches and veteran players had to contribute money to send the younger players to overseas tournaments.

Joko denied the coaches' boycott was in querry over their share of PBSI's US$75,000 contract with Yonex.

"We are indeed still asking about our share, but what is more important is the development of young players. The PBSI must fulfill its promise to send junior shuttlers overseas," he said.

PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung reportedly plans to meet with the coaches on Saturday.

Christian Hadinata, manager for the Thomas and Uber Cup teams, called for calm in dealing with the dispute.

"The problem should be solved internally," Christian said.

In the simulation matches on Batam, the 12 men and 12 women who are possible members of the Thomas and Uber Cup teams faced off against each other. Past national members Yuli Marfuah, Lidya Djaelawidjaya and Wiwis Meliana also joined the women.

The men were Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso, Wimpie Mahardi, Flandy Limpele, Eng Hian, Luluk Hadiyanto, Alven Yulianto, Candra Wijaya, Halim Haryanto, Sigit Budiarto and Tri Kusharyanto.

The women were Maria Kristin, Silvi Antarini, Adrianti Firdasari, Siti Mahiroh, Fitria Firdaus, Fransisca Ratnasari, Jo Novita, Lita Nurlita, Eny Erlangga, Lilyana Natsir, Greysia Polii and Heni Budiman.