Coach tells PBSI to send junior shuttler to SEAG

Coach tells PBSI to send junior shuttler to SEAG

JAKARTA (JP): Junior singles coach Joko Suprianto urged the
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to include Sonny Dwi
Kuncoro on the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad.

"Sonny must be given a chance to team up with seniors Budi
Santoso, Rony Agustinus and Johan Hadikusuma," Joko told The
Jakarta Post at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East
Jakarta, on Friday.

"Joining the Games squad will be a very valuable experience
for Sonny, even if he only sits on the bench. Juniors need to
feel the pressure and tense atmosphere experienced by the team in
a multisport event.

"Besides, it will be a perfect time for PBSI to prepare Sonny
as the first singles for the 2003 Vietnam SEA Games. Therefore,
PBSI can target Sonny to bring home gold medals in the men's
singles and men's team events."

Joko pointed out that Sonny reached the finals in the Asian
Junior and World Junior Championships last year. Chinese Bao
Chunlai, the eventual winner of the World Junior Championships,
is already competing in the International Badminton Federation
Grand Prix series.

"Bao has competed in major events like the Korean Open and All
England while PBSI prefers to keep Sonny at home. Other countries
are willing to take a big step and send their juniors (to these
big events).

"If PBSI fails to follow suit, these countries will be able to
destroy our domination in badminton," Joko said.

PBSI is currently training Budi, Rony and Johan for the Games
in Kuala Lumpur, to be held from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17. The
association has yet to name the fourth singles player.

Doubles coach Sigit Pamungkas acknowledged the financial
difficulties faced by PBSI in sending players abroad.

"We understand that PBSI is having financial problems but it
must still send selected shuttlers to compete in one to three-
star tournaments.

"China and South Korea are very eager to send their juniors to
these events even if they exit in the early rounds, because they
know it is important for the youngsters to feel the heat," Sigit
said.

Both Joko and Sigit called on PBSI to take actions to prevent
a widening of the gap between senior and junior shuttlers at the
center.

"Indonesia has already fallen behind because we failed to
provide the juniors with more tournament experience. We, of
course, must be selective in sending the shuttlers to tournaments
by prioritizing the outstanding junior shuttlers," Joko said.

PBSI plans to have all 20 junior shuttlers at the center
compete in the Jakarta Open to evaluate their progress after two
months of training at the center.

"The results will only be a preliminary evaluation of their
progress .... The shuttlers are expected to improve their
performance within six months before a promotion-relegation
process.

"I only expect that all the shuttlers being groomed here will
reach the finals.

"We will also use the event to scout other talented shuttlers,
especially to replace Dewi Tira and Dian Novita who have been
promoted to the senior level," Joko said. (nvn)