PBSI bows to Taufik's demands, hires Mulyo for All England
JAKARTA (JP): After taking into consideration demands by world number four Taufik Hidayat, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has decided to hire coach Mulyo Handoyo to prepare the 19-year-old shuttler for the most prestigious event, the All England, next month.
"There is no problem at all in having Mulyo on a short-term contract for All England only. Not only is it a prestigious event, but we also have the potential to win," chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo told reporters at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Monday.
"All England is only an intermediary target for PBSI because we are focusing on the Sudirman Cup mixed team event and mostly the World Championships.
"Please understand that it is part of our efforts to retain our domination in badminton.
Subagyo had said that PBSI would concentrate on the World Championships and put less priority on the Sudirman Cup due to the poor form of its women's shuttlers.
Taufik, twice All England finalists, had threatened to quit the national squad unless Mulyo was called back to the center. He gave PBSI two weeks to reconsider its decision.
PBSI initially decided not to rehire Mulyo and only called back Agus Dwi Santoso for the men's singles coach.
"I hope this matter won't turn into a polemic as it would disadvantage PBSI and the shuttlers. They must believe in our goodwill. There's no personal reason at all," said Subagyo.
"Besides, a new coach will give Taufik another advantage. It would be great if he wins, but the public will understand if he loses in All England.
"Taufik is a talented shuttler and has great potential. PBSI will make the best out of him.
Taufik has said he will do his best in the All England.
"It has become my personal target to grab the title there. It will not be a burden at all. It's different from the Sydney Olympics," he said.
Taufik has made winning the All England his greatest ambition. He has failed to take the crown twice. In 1999, he bowed out to Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark and lost to Xia Xuanze of China last year.
Separately, Agus admitted it would take time for him to get used to Taufik's personality.
"Each athlete has her or his own characteristics and I don't know him very well yet. But I have prepared a special approach to handle Taufik.
"It's only natural for champions to act in such an eccentric way."
Agus said he was ready to help Taufik improve his skills to achieve a high standard.
"I will help Taufik reach his target as long as he still has the motivation to do so. I'm ready to coach him.
"Mulyo and I have our own strengths and weaknesses. I only hope to fill in where Mulyo lacks. This way, we can expect Taufik to be a better shuttler.
"Technically speaking, there is no problem at all. The only possible barrier is our personal approach."
Test delayed
PBSI has also decided to delay tests for junior shuttlers initially scheduled for Tuesday, enabling more potential shuttlers to participate.
"We decided to delay the tests and go back to our original plan of calling some 50 juniors to be tested next week," an official in charge of talent scouting, Icuk Sugiarto, said.
"PBSI will have a better list of junior shuttlers with more shuttlers to be tested. We will then be able to be more selective in our selection."
The initial plan was changed when several PBSI provincial chapters demanded their juniors be admitted to the center.
"We only want to reform the recruitment process to be more objective and free from intervention," said Icuk.
Junior coach Joko Supriyanto said more juniors were needed, especially in doubles sectors.
"We can't expect to have a solid pair in a limited time. At least we need one to two years to prepare. They need to change partners to find their best partner and it takes time.
"Another problem is that we need more practice partners in each doubles events. Two pairs in each event is not enough as they will get bored easily." (nvn)