Long-serving badminton coach resigns after 13 years

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia officially accepted the resignation of men's singles coach Indra Gunawan after a meeting on Wednesday.

The association's executive director Agus Wirahadikusumah said after the meeting that Indra would no longer coach at the National Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

Agus said Indra's resignation was not unusual because he had been coaching at the center for 13 years.

"Perhaps he has other plans, but he never mentioned anything to us," he said.

Indra joined the center 13 years ago and has guided the Thomas Cup squad through seven competitions, three of which resulted in Indonesian victories.

He did not appear at the center after returning from the successful Thomas Cup campaign in Hong Kong in May.

Antara reported that Indra instead traveled to Surakarta, Central Java, and Surabaya in East Java for family reasons.

Agus said the association had never been too dependent on any one coach. "The most important thing for us is to boost the development of players and coaches. We must also hire coaches who can get along with the players."

"The association would not object if Indra decided to coach abroad. That would be good because it would help Indonesia develop good ties with other badminton playing nations," he added.

Indra declined to say why he had resigned. "I'll tell you some time, but it's not about salary."

Newspapers reported that Indra resigned in protest at his low salary. He was paid less than physical trainer Paulus Passurney.

Mulyo Handoyo and Agus Dwi Santoso will take over immediately from Indra, and Joko Suprianto and Alan Budikusuma are being groomed as coaches of the future.

Agus said men's doubles coach Atik Jauhari, who recently requested two months leave, would be offered a position on the association's staff. (yan)