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)