PBSI chairman continues war of words with Taufik
PBSI chairman continues war of words with Taufik
JAKARTA (JP): While the clock is ticking prior to the Sudirman
Cup and World Championships later this month, the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and
world number three men's singles Taufik Hidayat continued their
verbal battle.
Speaking on the sidelines of a warm-up session at the
Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Subagyo
expressed his disappointment at Taufik's absence from the event
saying he was still recovering after the Asia Cup in Singapore
last week.
"The event is supposed to be a final warming up before they
perform at the Sudirman Cup and World Championships. If he's not
ready to play now, how can he be ready later," he said.
"I received reports from executive director (Karsono) that
Taufik would not be ready until the Sudirman Cup but he would be
prepared for the championships.
However, Subagyo declined to say if Taufik would definitely
play in the mixed team event.
"We already have the nomination but the decision will be taken
later. Who knows? There are players who get sick."
Separately, Taufik denied Subagyo's statement saying that he
had confirmed his readiness to compete with the center's training
director, Christian Hadinata, and coach Mulyo Handoyo.
"How can he (Subagyo) say that? I have already told Mulyo and
Christian that I'm ready. I asked them not to field me at the
warm-up session. I needed to recover from the Asia Cup and I had
only just arrived from Bandung late on Wednesday," he said
emotionally.
"Another reason to skip the practice is because I am under
form and I don't want to force myself just for a disappointing
result."
"Besides, I had already talked of focusing my attention only
at the championships.
PBSI had earlier announced its semifinals target for the May
28 to June 3 event which was later protested by senior shuttlers.
They asked the association to field its best team to bring home
the trophy that it won in its first competition here in 1989.
South Korea and defending champion China are other countries who
have also managed to win the Cup.
Christian confirmed Taufik's statement saying that the
19-year-old shuttler requested a break to recover.
"Every athlete has a different recovery period. If Hendrawan,
Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, who all performed in the Asia
Cup, could play at the practice session, they have already
recovered and consider today's event an important warming up
event for the Sudirman Cup and World Championships.
"Today is also a perfect event to regain their physical
fitness and skills through matches.
Speaking about the shuttlers' condition, Christian said some
players have yet to reach peak form for the June 4 to June 10
World Championships in Seville.
"The players had seriously fought but they still needed to
improve their form for the big event."
In the warm-up session's men's singles, Hendrawan defeated
Marlev Mainaky 8-15, 15-7, 15-9 while Rony Agustinus easily beat
Budi Santoso 15-4, 15-7.
Lidya Djaelawidjaja ousted Yuli Marfuah 13-10, 11-3 in the
women's singles, Deyana Lomban and Indarti Issoliana won 15-13,
15-3 over Etty Tantri and Vita Marissa in the women's doubles.
Men's doubles Candra and Sigit had to fight hard to eliminate
Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto 15-10, 13-15, 15-11.
In mixed doubles, Nova Widhianto and Vita crushed Tri
Kusheryanto and Indarti 15-6, 15-8 while Bambang Suprianto and
Eny Widowati overwhelmed Agung Wahyu and Emma Ermawati 15-11, 15-
5. Bambang's fixed partner Minarti Timur failed to perform due to
fever. (yan)