Pelti supports Febi, Hendri to have own program

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) will allow Asian Games secondary choices Febi Widhianto and Hendri Susilo Pramono to train with their own coach for the games in Pusan next year rather than with the Pelti training camp.

Pelti Secretary-General Sugeng Sarjadi said on Thursday the two players would be allowed to arrange their own training program outside the centralized camp that the organization has set up for the national team, if they feel more comfortable with their own coaches.

"Tennis is an individual sport in which athletes are expected to take care of their own training programs. Athletes must also plan their own tournament schedules to improve their world rankings," Sugeng said.

"It would be better for Pelti to let Febi and Hendri train with their own coach. They will be more comfortable as they know each other very well."

Pelti had named Febi and Hendri for the Pusan 2002 Asian Games in South Korea in addition to Suwandi and Peter Handoyo in the men's division. In total, Indonesia selected Yayuk Basuki, Wynne Prakusya, Romana Tedjakusuma and reigning Wimbledon junior champ Angelique Wijaya in the women's field.

Following their call-up by Pelti, Febi and Hendri said they would choose to skip the Asiad preparation if they had to undergo a centralized training program with Pelti. They preferred to train under coach Deddy Prasetyo instead.

"It doesn't matter where they train or compete as long as they notify Pelti of their whereabouts and how their training is going. Pelti has to facilitate their training, such as providing them with balls and courts," said Sugeng.

Sugeng expressed regret over Pelti's decision to hold a centralized training program for the Asian Games, saying it was an old-fashioned manner which no longer fits certain athletes, especially tennis players.

"As an individual sport, a long centralized training camp will not work well because each player has his or her own tournament schedule."

He said when it comes to national duty in multisports events like the Asian Games, the players need only to get together for one week, but not for training purposes.

"Being together is important to boost team spirit and discuss match strategy," added Sugeng.

Separately, coach Deddy said his proteges' inclusion in the national team remained undecided. He said he needed more time to think about Pelti's call-up despite Sugeng's positive gesture.

Deddy said he objected to a nontechnical requirement set by Pelti if Febi and Hendri were to join the national team.

"Players are prohibited from giving negative statements on the training program to the media. This is against our principle to always tell the truth," he said.