RI shuttlers told not to let poor record discourage them

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers must not let faltering performance discourage them, especially with the poor performance of women players recently, according to motivator Andrie Wongso.

He said in a meeting with the Thomas and Uber Cups teams on Wednesday that Indonesia used to be known as a great force in badminton but the image was declining recently, especially with the absence of Susy Susanti and Mia Audina.

"You must prove to other countries' shuttlers that you can contribute a great achievement to Indonesia, especially with the worsening situation here. You must be able to refute every prediction saying that the Uber Cup team cannot bring back home the trophy," he said.

"The women's shuttlers' failures in the last two tournaments, the South Korea and Chinese Taipei Opens, is no longer a problem. The most embarrassing thing is when you don't have motivation to win and don't understand at all about motivation," he said.

Women's doubles specialist, Elysa Nathanael, said that she hoped Indonesia could repeat the successes of 1994 and 1996 when the team took home the trophy despite being underestimated by most people.

"At that moment, we were at the lowest point with our international performance, but we had motivation and good teamwork to make our dreams come true. I ask you friends to repeat that moment, to prepare yourselves better for the Uber Cup qualifications in New Delhi this month," she said.

Indonesia, competing in the same group with Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, will compete in the qualifications from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20.

The Uber Cup team consists of Cindana Hartono, Lidya Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Angelina, Niniek Masrikah, Elysa, Deyana Lomban, Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta.

The Thomas and Uber Cups teams' training executive director, Sumaryono, said he was optimistic that the Uber Cup team would be able to qualify for the final in Kuala Lumpur in May.

"Having a meeting on motivation like today's helps the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to motivate athletes to reach their best in important moments," said the former PBSI executive director.

PBSI has set targets this year to qualify for the Uber Cup final this month, earn titles in the All England in March, retain the Thomas Cup and bring home the Uber Cup in May and win gold medals in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney this September. (yan)