PBSI to call 20 juniors for national training
BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will be grooming juniors in its Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta as it needs capable second stringers to replace the seniors.
The center's training director Christian Hadinata told The Jakarta Post, on the sidelines of the just-concluded Interclub National Badminton Championship, that the composition of players would be completely different from the previous program.
"Previously, we had about 60 senior shuttlers without any juniors. Now we will select 40 seniors and 20 juniors to be groomed at the center," he said.
"We need to focus our development program on the juniors for the long-term. So far we have only given them short-term preparations, prior to certain big international events abroad."
PBSI has been concerned over its lack of young talents to face other countries, especially China.
In the World Junior Championships in Guangzhou, China, the host shuttlers swept all five titles. Four of five finals were Chinese-dominated and Sonny Dwi Kuncoro was the only Indonesian finalist in the boys' singles event. Sonny is also the Asian Junior Championships finalist.
With the return of former Indonesian coach Tong Sin Fu to China, the country has regained its domination in the sport by producing an All England winner in Xia Xuanze and an Olympics gold medalist in Ji Xinpeng.
The center's junior coach Joko Supriyanto said the inclusion of juniors was a part of the organizer's regeneration program.
"Juniors were selected through a series of national circuits. It's also important to ensure that the shuttlers selected, apart from their achievements and age, are psychological balanced," he said.
PBSI secretary-general, Leo Chandra Wiranata, said he had the list of names of selected senior players but was waiting until the juniors' final test results are announced.
"We'll have a meeting on Thursday to determine who are the senior shuttlers to be selected. The juniors will still have to undergo several tests next Monday."
Dian Novita from Central Java expressed her hope of being admitted to the center, considering her achievements in the National Junior Championships held in conjunction with the interclub event last week.
"I wish I would be admitted to the center. Once I am in the center, I will find a style of playing that will suit me. It must be a combination of rally and attack," said the girl's singles champion.
Women's singles Lydia Djaelawidjaja was optimistic that PBSI would admit her to the center despite her declining form last year.
"If they look at my ranking, I'm sure I'll be in the list. If PBSI still believes in me, I'll improve my form this year and also my world ranking," she told the Post.
"I am planning to play badminton for about two more years. After that, I may get married."
Speaking on Indonesia's women shuttlers' poor performance, Christian said it would take a long time to have a strong team of women shuttlers.
"Our biggest disadvantage is their physique that prohibits them from competing against taller shuttlers from other countries."
"That's why the Sudirman Cup mixed team is not our top priority. We'll just try to stay in the main group."
Earlier, PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo declared that the association would not prioritize the Sudirman Cup in this year's program but instead concentrate on the World Championships. (nvn)