Local shuttlers under pressure

Local shuttlers under pressure

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers can't handle the pressure
in critical points, the Indonesian Badminton Association's chief,
Soerjadi, said yesterday.

"Look at our players during deuce or rubber sets. Their shock
is expressed crystal clearly on their faces and it gives their
opponents an advantage," he said at the Cipayung badminton center
in East Jakarta.

"Emotions are not being tempered. Shuttlers can be taught how
to deal with their emotions, especially in critical situations,"
he added.

The squad has little time left to prepare for the Sudirman Cup
and the world championships in Glasgow, Scotland, next month.

Soerjadi said the players also tired easily.

"When they are exhausted, they cannot fight hard and lose
easily. I can't say that they give up," he said.

Soerjadi cited training runs around the badminton center as an
example.

"On the third lap, they seemed very exhausted and complained
greatly. It's really like a test for them on the court. If they
give up easily in training, their attitude will be taken with
them when they perform," he said.

Soerjadi said he was hopeful the players could learn from
watching their performances on video.

"They are usually surprised when they find out that they
performed badly during the All England tournament. They said how
could they play so slowly although they felt as thought they were
playing very quickly," he said.

Psychologist Prof. Singgih said the association had to raise
the players' motivation and self-confidence.

"We want them to be fully motivated. It will require
cooperation between the coaches and athletes. There is a special
program to increase their self-esteem," he said.

Singgih was satisfied by the way coaches had tried to get to
know their athletes and adopt training to suite.

"It's good to know that our coaches have tried hard to
approach their athletes," he said.

Singgih said the number-one men's doubles Chandra Wijaya and
Sigit Budiarto, who only reached the semifinals at the All
England, had risen up the ranks to quickly.

"The sooner they reach the top, the harder their burden is. We
must guide them to cope with stress positively," he said.

"We must teach them how to focus their mind only on winning a
match and not thinking of losing," he added.

Coach Atik Djauhari said coaches had to train each player
differently to maximize their fitness.

"Each of them needs different treatment. Chandra and Sigit,
although they are partners, need different amounts of physical
training," he said.

Atik said he regretted being ignorant of the team's falling
fitness after winning the Japan Open early this year.

"I was so satisfied with the fact that our doubles made an
All-Indonesian final at the Japan Open. I thought our training
was sufficient for the All England," he said.

Indonesia failed to win a title at the All England although
the country's women's pair of Eliza and Zelin Resiana and mixed
doubles Tri Kusherjanto and Minarti Timur reached the finals.

Badminton association official Hadi Nasri said after a meeting
with coaches yesterday that the final team for the cup and world
championships was expected to be announced tomorrow or Friday by
Soerjadi after the association's meeting.

The association plans to send players overseas in three
groups: The first group will depart May 13, the main group will
leave May 15 and the last group will leave May 22.

Hadi said the association expected to run a simulation
tournament, hopefully by the end of this month, to see the
players' strengths and weaknesses.

Christian Hadinata, team technical coordinator, said that
since the players had begun training intensively their technical
skills had lapsed and reflects slowed.

"Starting this week, their technical skills will be combined
with physical training. They must enter the accuracy and speed
zone this week," he said.

Christian was satisfied with the players motivation during
training. "Their motivation to win grows from day to day." (yan)