PBSI puts players through night training
JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to improve sagging player performance in international events, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has introduced training sessions at night.
National training director Christian Hadinata said on Tuesday that the measure, which began on Tuesday, was intended to put shuttlers into a routine to compete at night.
"Like it or not, athletes often compete in the evening in a tournament. They must get used to the conditions."
Christian said the night sessions would increase the frequency of training. Three days a week athletes will undergo physical training in the morning, stroke training in the afternoon and technical training until 9 p.m.
"This system will be applied continuously. We formerly used the method but we had to change it because the training hall was so windy," he said. The hall was renovated two months ago to limit the wind problem.
Speaking on the demands of international play, Christian said during May's Sudirman Cup and World Championships in Copenhagen, matches started at 2 p.m. local time, or 7 p.m. West Indonesia Time.
Some shuttlers complained about the new schedule.
Men's doubles specialist Tony Gunawan said that its introduction disrupted preparations for the Malaysia Open in Kelantan from June 30 to July 4.
"We will compete in two weeks and we still have to adapt to the new method. I think it's too close to the competition. But I don't mind having the night training. Probably it's better for us to try it first."
Tony was disturbed that the new measure apparently indicated PBSI's focus on the poor Indonesian showing in Copenhagen. It lost in the Sudirman Cup semifinals and no Indonesian advanced past the quarterfinals in the World Championships.
"I feel our success before the Sudirman Cup and World Championships is no longer considered. They (PBSI) only think of our failure. I think we had better evaluate and correct our weaknesses," he said.
PBSI also holds morning pep meetings every Monday and Thursday before regular training.
Tony said he did not mind the meetings. "I don't have any problems. It's the consequence of our failure."
Men's singles Budi Santoso said: "It's good to give us responsibility because we will be punished if we miss the meeting."
Women's singles Yuli Marfuah was less enthusiastic.
"Twice a week is too much. Those of who have families and don't live in the dormitory often skip the meeting because they live far from here."
PBSI also plans to change its organizational structure at the training center. Christian, who oversees five coaches in the men's and women's singles and men's, women's and mixed doubles, will also return to his former post as the men's doubles coach.
"But Christian also will remain as the director. He will also supervise the men's and women's singles and mixed doubles," said PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata.
Tangkas club coach Hendry Saputra will likely take the overall responsibility for singles while PBSI has yet to decide who will be in charge of the doubles.(yan)