PBSI may hire Paulus as physical trainer

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia is considering contracting Paulus Passurney as its physical trainer as part of its preparation for the Thomas and Uber Cups championships in Hong Kong in May.

"I think coaches and shuttlers need more physical conditioning in our efforts to retain both the Thomas and Uber Cups," said the newly installed Badminton Training Center director, Christian Hadinata.

Christian, a well-reputed national coach over the last 10 years, said yesterday that Paulus would be the right man because he had much experience in physical training.

"Our coaches can also concentrate more on the shuttlers' technical skills," said the former men's doubles coach and four- times All-England champion.

Paulus is at present a physical trainer for the Indonesian Tennis Association. He also trained world ranked 21st Yayuk Basuki at her old club, Pelita Jaya Jakarta.

"Paulus will prepare his own physical training program for the shuttlers which will be different from (his regime for) tennis players," Christian said.

The badminton association has previously contracted Tahir Djide to train the shuttlers for the Thomas and Uber Cups.

"Tahir has just been installed as the research and development deputy and he lives in Bandung so I think he will have no spare time to train the shuttlers," Christian said.

Paulus is expected to start training the shuttlers before they compete in the Japan Open next month.

Christian said the association had arranged several tournaments scheduled for shuttlers for their warmups before they compete in the Thomas and Uber Cups.

"We'll start with the Japan Open in early January and after the All England championships we'll know who will be in the country's Thomas and Uber Cups squads," he said.

The Thomas Cup team will likely consist of young shuttlers while the Uber Cup team will probably have the same shuttlers as in 1996.

The association will send, among others, Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto, Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky and Eng Hian/Hermono in the men's doubles and Ety Tantri/Cyntia and Elisa/Zelin Resiana in the women's doubles for the Japan Open.

The association's athletes development deputy, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, told Antara that the association should not deselect senior shuttlers from the center just to give juniors more chances to compete in international tournaments.

Siregar said seniors shuttlers, including Alan Budikusuma, Hermawan Susanto and Joko Supriyanto could accept the association's decision.

They will still be allowed to compete in international tournaments as long as they finance their trips themselves.

"They are still needed as sparring partners for the juniors," Siregar said.

The association also plans to give deadlines to young shuttlers.

"They have to reach their targets in a certain time. Otherwise, we'll have to reevaluate and reconsider their presence at the center," he said. (yan)