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)