'I have to say what I think'

'I have to say what I think'

Indonesian men's doubles badminton player Rexy Ronald Mainaky
has been in the spotlight since he and partner Ricky Ahmad
Subagja took the world top spot in 1993, but he is retiring at
the end of this year.

The former chairman of the Players Board has been known for
his bad temper on the court and his outspoken behavior that has
sometimes upset the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
officials.

Rexy has collected many titles, including winning the 1996
Olympic gold. However, he did not clinch a gold from the
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Unfortunately, his age does not
allow him to play. The 31-year-old shuttler will start a new
career as a coach on Jan. 10 in England. He was appointed to help
the England national team improve its performance, especially in
the doubles sectors, prior to the World Championships in Seville,
Spain, in May. Born in Ternate on March 9, 1968, the father of
two spoke to The Jakarta Post's Primastuti Handayani.

Question: If you had a choice, what would you be doing now?

Answer: If I had a choice, I wouldn't be a badminton player. I would
set up a small team whose members are former players.

The team's task would be to go throughout the country seeking
fresh young talent to be groomed as good players.

Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?

A: I'm a very outspoken person. I have to say what I think.

Q: And deplore?

A: People say I sulk. But I'm learning to deal with this bad
characteristic.

Q: Who do you admire?

A: My parents.

Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

A: Anything casual that makes me feel confident. I don't care
about brands, but I love blue clothes.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: I have never read books. I only read newspapers but The
Jakarta Post is not one of them. Ha..ha..ha...

Q: What makes you angry?

A: I hate to see injustice, especially when it happens to the
underdog. I guess it's a family characteristic. Most members of
the family have this characteristic.

Q: When was the last time you were angry?

A: Every time I'm out on the street. I cannot understand why
other drivers, especially of public transportation vehicles,
drive recklessly without even thinking of others' safety. And
that really makes me sick. So I'm always angry whenever I drive.

Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?

A: Hypocrisy.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?

A: Definitely not. Without other human beings we can't do
anything in the world. Without fans, Ricky and I wouldn't be who
we are right now.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Whenever I see someone denying something they did and then
acting as if he or she didn't do it at all.

Q: And cry?

A: When I'm alone and remember my late father ... The memory of
him always makes me cry.

Q: What is your favorite smell?

A: I like the fresh smell of perfume but I don't like any
specific fragrance.

Q: If there was something you could change about your appearance,
what would it be?

A: People say I'm bad tempered and it reflects badly on my
appearance. I want to change that because of my age. Ha..ha...

Q: What makes life worth living?

A: If we can do our best, we must do it.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: Anything romantic.

Q: And movie?

A: Any kind of action movie.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Noodles.

Q: What characteristics do you love in women?

A: If they are caring and passionate.

Q: Do you ever worry about your weight?

A: I'm always worried about my weight. Not only because it can
interfere with my performance on the court but mostly because
being overweight can cause many diseases. I'm really afraid of
getting sick.

Q: Where is your favorite hangout?

A: Home. I love to stay at home during my spare time.

Q: What has been the cost of popularity?

A: My youth. My first ambition was to become a sailor. My time
for my family, especially my younger brothers.

Q: What will you do say, 20 years from now?

A: If I live long enough, I want to see my athletes' performance.
I also want to see how my kids grow and what they will become. It
reflects on my success in educating them.

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: I have been known as a temperamental player and I want to be
remembered as that. My bad temper has helped me reach all my
goals in life. I'm very outspoken off the court and my style is
very attractive on the court. People love it.

Q: If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?

A: Repent.