Christian urged to resolve coach dispute with Taufik

Christian urged to resolve coach dispute with Taufik

JAKARTA (JP): Sangkuriang Graha Sarana (SGS) manager Lutfi
Hamid urged the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
training director, Christian Hadinata, to discuss, in person,
with world number two shuttler Taufik Hidayat about coach Mulyo
Handoyo, whose contract was terminated on June 15.

"I call on Christian to speak in person with Taufik on the
matter. Maybe he can motivate Taufik to keep training even
without Mulyo," Lutfi told reporters on Thursday.

"Should PBSI seek another coach, I recommend AP Sidik, who
helped Taufik's first coach Iie Sumirat in grooming the player at
my club, SGS, in Bandung years ago."

Lutfi expressed regret at PBSI's decision, saying it would
affect Taufik's morale in the future.

"Frankly speaking, I have no idea what's on Taufik's mind
right now. He told me he has started training but I don't know if
he does it whole-heartedly or just to spend time at the training
center. I also have no idea about whether he is considering
moving to another country.

"PBSI also needs a psychologist to help Taufik overcome the
pressure that he has carried from an early age."

Taufik joined SGS as a child before being admitted to the
center in 1997 and has been coached by Mulyo since the beginning.

PBSI had planned to expel Mulyo from his position early this
year but Taufik threatened to quit should the body fail to
fulfill his demand to renew Mulyo's contract.

PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo finally approved Taufik's
request by recalling Mulyo but only until the World Championships
in Seville, Spain, which ended on June 10. Mulyo's contract ended
on June 15.

The body also decided to assign Agus Dwi Santoso, world
champion Hendrawan's coach, to train Taufik but the 19-year-old
shuttler has turned down the offer.

"I also questioned the decision that the contract was stopped
due to non-technical problems. As a badminton official, I
consider Mulyo successful in having coached Taufik to reach the
standard of the world's elite players," Lutfi said.

"Within only four years, Taufik managed to become one of the
best shuttlers in the world. What kind of non-technical problems
are the PBSI talking about?

"Taufik managed to reach the semifinals of the World
Championships, losing to compatriot and eventual champion
Hendrawan. He also played in the Sudirman Cup despite being
injured. Why do the PBSI not see that as a success?

"What about the two other Sudirman Cup team members, Rony
Agustinus and Budi Santoso who didn't play at all at the two-week
event? What about Johan Hadikusuma who lost in the first round to
Kevin Han of the United States in the World Championships?"

Lutfi said PBSI still needs two coaches in the men's singles
to create competition among shuttlers.

"If we have a high caliber coach like Tong Sin Fu of China
(formerly the Indonesian team's coach), I don't think we need two
coaches. But PBSI recruited two coaches years ago starting with
Indra Gunawan, who is in Malaysia now, and the late Triaji.

Lutfi also urged PBSI officials to stop interfering in the
training program decision made by Christian.

"Christian told me earlier that PBSI must extend Mulyo's
contract. Apparently PBSI officials didn't listen to him and made
a totally different decision.

"We still need a player like Taufik in the future especially
at next year's Thomas Cup final, where we are the defending
champion.

"I really hope that PBSI officials will act more wisely in the
remaining time that they have left before they are replaced in
the national congress in October," he said. (yan)