Icuk launches 'Total Badminton'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The badminton training program in Indonesia still lacks a scientific approach, former world champion Icuk Sugiarto said here on Wednesday.

"The training program is conducted mostly based on the experience of the trainers. This is because books on badminton are still rare," Icuk said while speaking at the launching of his book entitled Total Badminton.

"This book can hopefully act as a guide to proper training methods, and help further promote badminton development in Indonesia," he said.

"We are rich in badminton talent, and if this is developed from an early age with the help of a scientific approach, we should not worry about losing our badminton domination," he added.

The 205-page book deals with five basic topics: badminton equipment, techniques, psychology, tactics and strategy, and the physical aspect.

Though its writing also involved academics -- M. Furqon and S. Kunta P. -- the book bears the unmistakable stamp of Icuk.

A photograph of him in action during the 1983 World Championship, where he emerged as the champion, appears on the front cover together with the logo of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).

Browsing through the book, the reader is presented with copious other photos of Icuk. On the back cover, there is a list of Icuk's achievement's during his heyday.

"As the world champion of the past generation, I feel compelled to pass on my experience to the current generation. I want to share my experience as a player, trainer and official ... through this book," he said. Icuk is the chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the PBSI.

M.F. Siregar and Ferry Soneville, two of the country's major badminton figures, hailed the publication of the book, saying that it was "a masterpiece". They added that they were proud that a former player had spared the time to write about the sport.

Siregar, who is the PBSI official in charge of research and development, praised Icuk as being a badminton player who had formed his identity as a champion, spread information and his knowledge to other people, and carried on his "championship spirit" off the court.

While voicing his own appreciation, Ferry, who was the 1958 All-England champion, criticized the book as lacking religious content.

"Don't forget that we have been dominating the badminton world with the help of God's power. Without this we could do nothing," he said.