RI shuttlers told not to let poor record discourage them

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)