Coach pins hopes on men's singles in Sudirman Cup

Coach pins hopes on men's singles in Sudirman Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is banking on its veterans men's
singles players to give their all at next month's Sudirman Cup
and the World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland.

"Joko (Suprianto), Alan (Budikusuma) and Ardy (Wiranata) are
likely to join the national squad for the last time. I expect
them to use the moment to give one point for Indonesia," coach
Indra Gunawan said yesterday.

Indonesia plans to send six men's singles players to both
championships, including Joko, Alan, Ardy, Hariyanto Arbi, Indra
Wijaya and Budi Santoso.

Indra hoped Indonesia can wrest the Sudirman from China to
make the country the first to hold the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and
Sudirman Cup concurrently.

The Thomas and Uber competitions are the most prestigious
men's and women's team contests. The Sudirman is a mixed team
format. Indonesia won the Thomas and Uber titles last year in
Hong Kong.

"This has become my ambition and will be the biggest challenge
in my career," Indra said after supervising a team workout at the
Senayan weightlifting center. "It's not easy to make history."

Indra added that winning the cup would provide a happy note
for him and fellow coach Tong Sin Fu to end their careers. Tong
will return to China after the championships.

Indra said the fact that Indonesia is considered an underdog
for the title may work to its advantage. "We just need to be more
careful with our strategy at the Sudirman Cup."

Indra said all the players have got over their losses at the
All England and the Swiss Open last month and are ready for
Glasgow.

"They have committed to do their best. They will perform in
tough, fighting and exhausting matches. You can see it at their
practices."

Evaluation

Indra blamed physical and technical reasons for the team's
dismal showing at the All England.

"Our players' physical conditions were very bad at the All
England and they could not play efficiently," he said in citing
the results of an evaluation by the All Indonesia Badminton
Association (PBSI).

"With only one month left, we must combine physical and
technical training. Now they all have to practice seven days a
week."

Indra said he continually reminded athletes that they cannot
play "wrong", or perform below the standard they reached in
practice.

The threat of injury is a major concern for the players as
both Hariyanto and Joko were sidelined for several months. Indra
said players must be attuned to their physical condition as "it's
very risky if they are injured."

He identified Denmark and China as the toughest rivals at the
championships. "Now, it's a psychological war among the three of
us."

The Sudirman team is scheduled to take part in a simulation
match, similar to those organized in the run-up to the Thomas and
Uber contests, later this month.

Indra urged journalists to refrain from interviewing players
during the simulation preparation to allow them to concentrate on
the upcoming events.

"You can ask me anything after the simulation and I'll be glad
to answer," he said.

PBSI is expected to announce the team members on April 15.
(yan)