Fung to be nominated as assistant coach

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will be nominating Fung Permadi, a shuttler who is ranked number 17 in the world, who is currently playing for Chinese Taipei, as an assistant coach in its training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo said on Sunday when attending the wedding reception of shuttlers Indarti Issoliana and Wahyu Agung Setiawan in Purwokerto, Central Java, that the association also had other nominees.

"Fung is the strongest candidate for the position. A decision will be made in a meeting between PBSI officials and coach Agus Dwi Santoso," he was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.

Subagyo expected the new assistant to help boost the men's shuttlers performance in international events.

Training director Christian Hadinata said PBSI had no plan yet to hire a new coach but only recruit an assistant coach to help Agus.

"Agus has the authority to decide who will help him in coaching the men's singles," he said.

Agus told The Jakarta Post on Monday that he had spoken to Fung during the Sudirman Cup and World Championships in Seville, Spain late last month about the possibility of helping coach the Indonesian squad.

"Fung told me he would consider the offer. He showed a great interest as he also plans to return home soon" Agus said.

"If Fung is really interested and willing to work with me, it will be great. Fung is one of the world's best players. He's smart and also has international experience that will be useful in adjusting to the International Badminton Federation's plan of applying a new scoring system of best of five games in seven points."

Fung, whose best achievement was as 1999 World Championships runner up, was formerly a member of the training center before moving to Taipei in the early 1990s.

PBSI plans to hire a new assistant coach following its decision not to extend the contract of Mulyo Handoyo, world number two Taufik Hidayat's coach, which expired on June 15.

Taufik has objected to the decision and has opted to train with the men's doubles shuttlers instead of joining Agus' players of world champion Hendrawan, Rony Agustinus, Johan Hadikusuma and Budi Santoso.

"I still can't take that decision. I have no idea what to do, but I still can't join Mas (older brother) Agus. I will train by myself until the end of Pak Subagyo's tenure in October," he said.

"I have spoken to Taufik asking him to start training. But he said 'later'. It all depends on his willingness to join me. If he joins me, he has to follow my rules," Agus said.

Agus will also be assisted by physical trainer Paulus Pasurney. (yan)