PBSI urged to groom shuttlers more seriously for Sudirman Cup

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)'s West Java chapter chairman Lutfi Hamid called on the PBSI to seriously groom shuttlers for the Sudirman Cup mixed team event, especially as it bore the name of the association's former chairman.

"I urged the PBSI to set up a special project for the Sudirman Cup about six weeks ago. But, apparently, none of PBSI officials listened to my ideas," he said in a written statement made available to reporters.

"We must learn from the 1999 event when the PBSI named the team manager in mid-April, which was only a month away from D- day. It was too late."

"This time, with only one month left, the PBSI has yet to name the team members. It's much worse."

The Sudirman Cup will take place in the San Pablo Stadium in Seville, Spain, from May 28 to June 3.

The PBSI plans to announce the line-up on Monday. Most related officials have recently been tight-lipped saying the list must have PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo's approval before being made public.

Lutfi also criticized the PBSI's earlier target of only reaching the semifinals as it had deflated the shuttlers.

"No wonder the shuttlers prefer to play in the World Championships."

"The PBSI has to do something serious to show its respect to the late Pak Sudirman, such as by staging tryouts in big cities in the country to prepare the shuttlers as well as asking for the people's good wishes."

Subagyo had mooted the semifinal target earlier this year given the women's sector's poor form over the last two years. He even encouraged shuttlers to concentrate more on the championships, to take place after the Sudirman Cup, in order to bring home titles.

Indonesia went home empty-handed from the 1999 event after Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto won the men's doubles title in 1997.

Meanwhile, women's singles Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Yuli Marfuah said they would focus on the championships instead of the Sudirman Cup.

"How can I prepare myself for the Sudirman Cup if the PBSI has yet to announce the list of players. Rather than hoping for nothing, it's better to gear up for the World Championships," said Lidya Djaelawidjaja. "Not to mention the fact that the PBSI has set such a low target as only reaching the semifinals."

"I'll do my best if the PBSI fields me in the Sudirman Cup but don't blame the shuttlers if the results are disappointing given our limited preparation."

Yuli said: "I don't want to hope too much now. I can't say I'm going until I've got the (airline) ticket in my hand. I'll just practice every day as usual although personally I want to participate in both events." (nvn)