PBSI accused of leaving juniors development

PBSI accused of leaving juniors development

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
West Java chapter chairman, Lutfi Hamid, has accused PBSI of
abandoning juniors development after the organization declined to
finance them to compete in the German and Dutch Junior Opens.

Lutfi, a former team manager for the Thomas and Uber Cups,
said his chapter and Central Java chapter preferred not to send
their athletes to serve as a warning to PBSI to pay more
attention to juniors.

"I sent a protest letter to PBSI but I have yet to receive a
response. I said PBSI abandoned juniors development and preferred
to spend money only on the senior athletes' preparation for the
Olympics."

"The juniors also need to participate in competitions abroad
to observe their future rivals and for preparation prior to the
World Junior Championships in Beijing in October."

Lutfi protested that the PBSI policy sends only shuttlers
whose parents or clubs can afford to pay the trip to Europe for
two weeks.

"Only players from rich clubs or families can compete abroad.
I have estimated that PBSI spends less than Rp 150 million
(US$20,270). I won't believe it if they say they don't have the
money."

The West Java chapter decided not to send the boys doubles of
Hendra and Bambang and girls doubles of Monica and Lita. The boys
and girls top-ranked players from Djarum club would also not
compete in the event.

PBSI decided to send girls' singles Dewi Tira and Wenny
Rachmawati, and boys' singles Sonny DK, Hogianto, Markis Kido and
Mardiansyah to compete in both events, starting from March 1.

Markis's parents will act as the team manager as PBSI has
decided not to send any officials nor coaches to accompany them
due to a "lack of funds".

Lutfi said the German and Dutch Opens were really necessary
because many world class shuttlers -- including Susy Susanti, Mia
Audina, Ardy B Wiranata and Taufik Hidayat -- competed in the
event.

"Taufik, who reached the semifinals in the Netherlands and won
the German Junior Open, now is one of the top players. He is
living evidence of how important these two tournaments are," he
said.

Taufik was surprised to hear that juniors were competing
abroad without any officials or coaches.

"What does PBSI want? Juniors still need observation and
evaluation, especially from their coaches. Who will tell them to
improve their strategy on the court without coaches?" he said.

PBSI executive director, Karsono, said chairman Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo had made the decision on the matter.

"This is the chairman's decision. As an executive director, I
can say that we still have about Rp 6 billion (US$810,810) in
funds. But perhaps he has another opinion on how to spend the
money," he said. (yan)