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)