Lessons from our defeats in Thomas and Uber Cup
Lessons from our defeats in Thomas and Uber Cup
Primastuti Handayani, Jakarta
A question was raised by many people when seeing Indonesia
crash in the 2004 Thomas and Uber Cup badminton championships
before a home crowd last week: What is going on with badminton
development in this country?
The defeat against Denmark in the Thomas Cup semifinals -- the
first in Indonesia's badminton history -- was regrettable,
considering the national shuttlers could have won the decisive
match in the doubles.
As for the Uber Cup team, the women's strong fighting spirit
was not enough for them to even reach the semifinals. They have,
however, shown their potential.
Doubts about the Thomas Cup team had been there since the
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced this year's
lineup. The PBSI did not have many options for the singles,
particularly after the retirement of 2001 world champion
Hendrawan and Marlev Mainaky.
Deploying Sony Dwi Kuncoro as the first singles player
followed by controversial shuttler Taufik Hidayat and newcomers
Simon Santoso and Wimpie Mawardi was the best lineup that
Indonesia could have.
However, the choice of lineup for the men's doubles, a
competition that Indonesia has dominated since the early 1990s
with the emergence of 1996 Olympics champions Ricky Subagja and
Rexy Mainaky, was shocking.
Luluk Hadiyanto and Alven Yulianto should have been included
in the squad not only because of their highest ranking of world
No. 7 but also because of the need to give them experience to
fight for the country in high-pressure environment.
The selection of Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian invoked
criticism. Many people questioned why the PBSI did not pick Sigit
Budiarto to team up with Candra -- they won the 1997 world
championships -- and Halim Heryanto to partner Tri -- they saved
Indonesia in the 2002 Thomas Cup in Guangzhou, China.
Regardless of Flandy and Eng Hian's ranking of No. 8, they had
never been selected for the Thomas Cup, not because of their lack
of skills but because of their lack of winning form. This deficit
of fighting spirit was obvious when they were under pressure from
the Danish duo of Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen in a match the
Indonesians finally surrendered in three-games.
A duo created to counter European pairs, with a year's
experience competing for England, Flandy and Eng Hian failed to
show their quality.
The partnership of Candra and Tri also raised questions as
they both have a similar playing style. Observers said they did
not match each other technically.
It was a contrast when Candra paired with Sigit. They had
performed outstandingly during a simulation game in Batam, Riau,
prior to the event and so had Halim and Tri. Many predicted these
doubles pairs would be the country's most-powerful weapons in the
Thomas Cup.
But team manager Christian Hadinata, predictably, had another
opinion, saying the lineup was the best choice in the
circumstances.
The country's Uber Cup singles team of Silvi Antarini, Maria
Kristin and Adrianti Firdasari still needs more opportunities to
excel in international tournaments. PBSI chairman Chairul
Tanjung's view they should only be sent to one to three star-
rated tournaments was the right decision, although this should
have been done two years ago.
Once the singles players manage to show a steady performance,
they must be given greater challenges and allowed to compete in
higher star-rated events. The same applies for the women's
doubles.
Sports psychologists -- they are actually registered as
officials at the PBSI -- should have been involved in preparing a
team for such a prestigious event as the pressure is much greater
on each member compared to a regular Grand Prix series.
A physical trainer is also needed to help coaches hone the
shuttlers into peak performers while minimizing the risk of
injuries.
Other supporting experts needed in a team include
nutritionists, masseurs and therapists.
Unfortunately, this year's Thomas and Uber Cup teams did not
have any of these supporting experts.
Indonesia should take a valuable lesson from China. Although
China has a lot of winners on its team, each of them seriously
watched every match during the competition and even took notes.
Only one Indonesian shuttler was known for such behavior: Susi
Susanti. She always took notes on her rivals' performances --
their strengths and weaknesses -- so that she could anticipate
them in any encounters in tournaments.
National shuttlers must be taught this habit so they can
analyze their rivals on court and decide what steps they are
going to take, instead of just asking their coaches.
The PBSI must quickly evaluate this recent defeat and work out
a short-term game plan to face the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in
August. This time around, Indonesia has little chance of winning
any golds, even in the men's doubles that it usually dominates.
While there is still a little hope, it is likely only Sigit and
Tri may make the semifinals.
The Thomas and Uber Cup defeats have forced all parties in
Indonesian badminton -- the athletes, coaches, PBSI officials,
National Sports Council (KONI) officials and the public -- to
learn something: That hard work, as exemplified by China, will
enable us to achieve what we aim for.
Primastuti Handayani (yani@thejakartapost.com) is a staff
writer of The Jakarta Post.