Boycotting coaches want PBSI to focus on youth

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.