Imelda takes blame for RI loss in Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): Women's badminton doubles coach Imelda Wiguna Kurniawan said Tuesday she would be ready to take the blame for Indonesia's loss in the women's team event at the just-concluded 13th Asian Games.

"If people think that I alone should be blamed for making a crucial mistake, I'll have to accept it," she told reporters before the handing over of bonuses by the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Agung Laksono.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia vice chairman, Agus Wirahadikusumah, put the blame on Imelda's shoulders as she had changed the line up of the national women's doubles during the semifinal match against South Korea. Indonesia finally lost 1-4.

Imelda partnered Elysa Nathanel and Minarti Timur, a mixed doubles specialist, as the first pairing while Deyana Lomban teamed up with old partner Indarti Issoliana as the second doubles pairing. Carmelita, who usually partners Indarti, had to sit on the bench.

"The strategy of changing partners had been discussed before we left for Bangkok. You can ask my athletes," Imelda said. "The decision was not made out of the blue there. After learning of our draw, we felt relieved that we were to meet Korea."

"I had predicted that one of the new doubles pairings would win one point for the team. If they lost, that was out of my control," she added.

Agus expressed his disappointment in Bangkok by saying that Indonesia should not have lost on account of foolishness. He elaborated the point by insisting that a mistake was made in changing the partnerships.

Elysa, who accompanied Imelda, said that nobody criticized the policy of changing partnerships when competing in the Uber Cup championships in Hong Kong in May.

"They didn't protest because we won that time. Who could guarantee that we would win even if we had not split the pairings?" she said.

Imelda said that Agus should have told her first about his plan to discharge her, instead of telling the press.

However she said that in a team event the first match determined the composition of the team.

"The result of the first match really influences the next performers. Maybe only a few people realize this," she said.

First singles Mia Audina unexpectedly lost to Korean Kim Ji- hyun.

Elysa doubted that any new coach that might be appointed by the association could boost their performance in the 2000 Olympics.

"If the association wants a new coach, let her train juniors. We will be focused on the Olympics and must train with an experienced coach," she said. (yan)