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)