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)