Mulyo to team up with Taufik again

Indonesian badminton star Taufik Hidayat is likely to be reunited with his former coach and mentor Mulyo Handoyo as the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) welcomes back the coach after a Singaporean stint.

PBSI chairman Chaerul Tanjung told reporters on Monday that Mulyo, Taufik and himself had reached an agreement to renew their partnership, which should be helpful in the lead-up to the Thomas Cup championship.

The PBSI's decision to accept Mulyo back represents an apparent U-turn on the part of the badminton body, which sacked the coach in 2001 on allegations of misconduct.

Mulyo will help Taufik prepare for the Swiss Open, which is to be held from March 2 to March 7.

After the departure of Mulyo, Taufik was coached by Joko Supriyanto before the two parted company soon after Taufik won the Indonesian Open in Batam in August.

Chaerul said that since Taufik broke with Joko, the PBSI had been going after Kurnia Ho of the Tangkas Club in line with Taufik's preference.

However, the club had demanded too high a fee so that the association had then decided to seek an alternative coach, he said.

Chaerul said the PBSI turned to badminton superstar Rudy Hartono for help, and he then made a personal approach to Mulyo, who was then the chief coach of the Singaporean men's team.

"We did not approach Mulyo through the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA). This was a personal affair," he said.

Chairul said that Mulyo could terminate his contract with the SBA anytime and return to Indonesia within a month. -- JP