PBSI aims to win one title at World C'ships
JAKARTA (JP): Winning two titles at the just-concluded Japan Open has heightened the Badminton Association of Indonesia's (PBSI) ambition to win at least one title at the World Championships in Seville, Spain, in June.
"Winning two titles at the Japan Open doesn't necessarily guarantee our success at the World Championships. We have to watch out for players from other countries," PBSI executive training director, Christian Hadinata, told The Jakarta Post by phone on Monday.
"We aim to bring home one title from the World Championships. All shuttlers, coaches and officials are committed to reaching this target."
"The World Championships is the most prestigious event this year and it's a challenge for us."
Indonesia managed to grab the men's doubles title thanks to the reunion of former world champions Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya, who grabbed the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold with Tony Gunawan.
Another title came from veteran players Bambang Suprianto and Minarti Timur who only began their partnership in November after Minarti won the Olympic silver medal with Tri Kusheryanto.
The strategy to team up Candra and Sigit; Tony and Halim Heryanto, who managed to bring home the All England title, is apparently convincing as both pairs are reliable in major events.
In mixed doubles, PBSI is focusing on the new partnership of Tri and Indarti Issoliana, who have yet to achieve their best form as they only managed to reach the third round of the Japan Open.
"We don't want to repeat our failure in the 1999 World Championships in Copenhagen where none of our shuttlers reached the semifinals," Christian said.
"It will be harder because we are now facing tougher competition. None of our shuttlers dominate particular events anymore, not even in the men's doubles. It's completely different with the women's sector where the Chinese now dominate."
Therefore, PBSI has arranged to improve the skills and physical condition of players.
"Singles shuttlers will continue their physical training with coach Paulus Pasurney, while the doubles will be handled by their respective coach as Pak Tahir Djide is unavailable to directly coach them. He will act as a consultant for the doubles coach," Christian said.
PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo had called shuttlers to focus more on the World Championships in Seville, Spain, from June 4 to June 10 instead of the Sudirman Cup mixed team event at the same place from May 27 to June 3.
Christian emphasized that Indonesia must win three events; men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles to win the Cup.
PBSI plans to set up a special team to prepare shuttlers but Christian declined to name the team manager.
"It has yet to be decided. We have to consult Pak Subagyo first."
It also plans to stage a warm-up competition sometime next month. "As the real simulation for players are usually tournaments before a major event."
PBSI is likely to send Taufik Hidayat, Hendrawan and Marlev Mainaky in the men's singles; Flandy and Eng Hian, Candra and Sigit, Tony and Halim in the men's doubles; and Bambang and Minarti, Tri and Indarti and Nova Widhianto and Vita Marissa in the mixed doubles.
In the women's competitions, PBSI is likely to field Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Yuli Marfuah in the singles; and Indarti and Deyana Lomban, Etty Tantri and Vita Marissa, and Carmelita and Emma Ermawati in the doubles. (yan)