Hendrawan concerned about the development of junior players
Hendrawan concerned about the development of junior players
JAKARTA (JP): World number four Hendrawan expressed concern
about his juniors' development regarding the Badminton
Association of Indonesia's (PBSI) inability to provide funds
necessary to send shuttlers abroad to the World Grand Prix
series.
"If PBSI maintains its current (financial) condition and does
not start looking for alternative sources, I'm afraid that my
juniors can only dream of competing in tournaments abroad,"
Hendrawan told reporters after a training session on Friday at
the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
Hendrawan was commenting on complaints that PBSI made,
regarding its Rp 370 million (US$37,000) deficit after sending 28
shuttlers to the just-concluded All England tournament in
Birmingham, England, last week.
"I appreciate Pak Subagyo's (Hadisiswoyo, PBSI chairman)
effort in raising money to finance our departure to the All
England. But I think PBSI officials must work harder to earn more
money to finance our expenses.
"We have already handed over 50 percent of our sponsorship fee
to PBSI. Will we have to contribute 75 percent of our income?
What will we be left with?
Hendrawan, who took home the 2000 Sydney Olympics silver
medal, said PBSI will have to spend the same amount to send
either world-class shuttlers or juniors to the one-star or five-
star tournaments.
"Juniors need to compete in between six and eight tournaments
per year to gain experience. Will PBSI dare to finance them
knowing that they will go home empty-handed?
The 28-year-old shuttler also expressed his disappointment at
PBSI officials who blamed athletes for their failure in the All
England.
Only men's doubles Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto managed to
win a title after beating compatriots Candra Wijaya and Sigit
Budiarto in the final.
Competitors from Indonesia failed to improve on their previous
performances especially the men's singles where last year's
finalist Taufik Hidayat bowed out to Danish lesser-known Anders
Boesen in the third round. Hendrawan himself lost to finalist
Chen Hong of China.
"I know that Taufik fought really hard and it's not his fault
that he couldn't reach his peak at the All England especially
after facing many problems prior to the event.
Taufik was banned from the Korea Open in January and the
upcoming World Grand Prix Finals after verbal attacks on Subagyo.
He later protested at PBSI's decision not to renew his coach
Mulyo Handoyo's contract, who has only been hired until the World
Championships in Seville, Spain, in May.
"PBSI officials don't have to blame me due to my failure in
the All England. I really regretted my decision to compete there
because I realized that I wasn't prepared for the event.
"I have told Pak Subagyo that my main target this year is the
World Championships but I should not have made the All England
tournament a milestone to reach my goal.
"I feel guilty and I don't need other people to point their
fingers at me (to make me realize that).
Hendrawan said he accepted not being sent to the Japan Open
early next month as a consequence of his poor result.
"I want to improve my world ranking but I accept the fact that
PBSI feels I don't deserve the chance to compete in Japan
although I reached the final there last year.
"Hopefully I'll perform well enough in the World Grand Prix
Finals in Brunei Darussalam which takes place from March 28 to
April 1. A good result will improve my ranking for a good draw in
the World Championships. However, I must be ready to face a tough
challenge starting in the biennial event's quarterfinals.
(nvn/yan)