PBSI pledges changes after All England failure

PBSI pledges changes after All England failure

JAKARTA (Agencies): The Badminton Association of Indonesia
(PBSI) will revise it training programs for the men's singles and
mixed doubles following the poor showing of its shuttlers in both
events at the just-concluded All England Open Championships in
Birmingham, England.

PBSI executive training director Christian Hadinata told The
Jakarta Post on Monday the association had expected its shuttlers
in these events to reach the semifinals, at the least, but this
target was not achieved.

"I realize that it would have been difficult to win the titles
at the All England. But did they really make full use of their
talents in only reaching the third round? It is really
disappointing."

Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan lost to eventual finalist
Chen Hong of China in the third round, while two-time All England
runner-up Taufik Hidayat bowed out to Denmark's Anders Boesen.

In the mixed doubles, the coach's decision to split Olympic
silver medalists Tri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur proved costly.

Tri and his new partner, Indarti Issoliana, were only able to
reach the quarterfinals, as were Minarti and partner Bambang
Supriyanto.

"Compared to their teammates, the men's doubles players had
extra training sessions, which helped them ensure an all-
Indonesian men's doubles final. And it was outstanding to see
three of our pairs in the semifinals," Christian said.

Indonesians Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto ousted compatriots
Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto 15-13, 7-15, 15-7 in 81 minutes
to win the All England title on Sunday.

Tony and Halim upset top seeds and compatriots Flandy Limpele
and Eng Hian in the semifinals, while Candra and Sigit, the 1997
world champions, defeated the Malaysian duo of Choong Tan Fook
and Lee Wan Wah to reach the final.

Christian said he was proud of Halim's performance in one of
the world's most prestigious badminton events after being
reteamed with former partner Tony.

"It was hard for Halim when Tony was partnered with Candra
back in 1998. He was really floundering without a proper partner
while we waited for Sigit to come back and compete again after
his one-year ban for drugs.

"I know he was lacking self-confidence teamed up with Sigit,
who was a world champion, and it is harder for him now with Tony
as his new partner after Tony's victory in the Olympics with
Candra."

Christian said he would look closely at the performances of
the men's doubles shuttlers at the World Grand Prix Finals in
Brunei from March 28 to April 1.

"Our main target this year is the World Championships. We will
look at the performances of our men's doubles players at the
Grand Prix Finals before deciding which pairs will compete in the
biennial event in Seville in May."

The Indonesian squad is expected to arrive back home from
England at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

21-year drought

Separately in New Delhi, Reuters reported that former champion
Prakash Padukone led the applause for Pullela Gopichand, who
became the first Indian to win the All England men's singles
title since his triumph in 1980.

"It's a great day for Indian badminton. It is a red-letter
day. He should now concentrate on maintaining the world number
one position," Padukone said by phone from the southern city of
Bangalore.

"Gopi showed his class and authority. There was no element of
luck or doubt in his victory," said Padukone, who coached
Gopichand at his academy.

Gopichand ended a 21-year Indian drought when he beat China's
Chen Hong 15-12, 15-6 in Sunday's final.

Padukone said Gopichand's self-confidence put him ahead of
many talented Indian players who did well at home but failed in
international tournaments.

Gopichand, ranked world number 10 going into the
championships, won his first major international title without
dropping a game.

Vimal Kumar, a former national champion who coached Gopichand
at Padukone's academy, said: "It is a victory for the Indian
brand of badminton.

"Our game revolves around deception, varying pace and
domination at the net. Prakash did not have a good smash but
Gopichand has it."

Syed Mohammed Arif, the Indian national coach, praised
Gopichand's courage in bouncing back from a career-threatening
knee injury he suffered in 1994.

"Many people never play after such a major operation but he is
a very determined and dedicated player who has come back very,
very strong," he said. (yan)