Ricky turns his attention to shaping future champions

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Ricky Soebagja's name is firmly established as one of the badminton's best players.

With partner Rexy Mainaky, Ricky followed in the great tradition of Indonesian doubles pairs, such as Tjun Tjun and Johan Wahyudi from the 1970s, but the duo also left their own distinctive mark.

Rexy's dazzling shotmaking and pumped-up personality combined perfectly with Ricky's steadying influence from the time they became a pair in 1991. They were world champions twice, three- time All England champions, members of Thomas Cup-winning teams on four occasions and Asian Games winners in 1994 and 1998.

Their most memorable achievement was winning gold at the 1996 Olympics in Athletics.

At 34, married to former champion swimmer Elsa Manora Nasution and the father of a young daughter, Ricky has now turned his attention to grooming champions of tomorrow.

He has been the ambassador of a milk promotional campaign, aimed at encouraging children to drink milk for their health, since 2004.

Bandung-born Ricky said the reason for his involvement was simple.

"I love kids. They are our future who have to be inspired by current success to reach their own achievements," Ricky said.

"I know that talent is a gift and I probably couldn't give talent to kids, but I could inspire them to have a healthy body and mind, and reach their own achievements."

After 16 years of hard practice and competition, his new focus has proved to be a refreshing change.

"Talking with kids, approaching them in the infant health care centers (Posyandu) to drink milk, and sometimes watching and giving them coaching clinics to play in junior competitions is exciting.

"My family also enjoys it because they could accompany me at the weekend when I visit different areas as part ofthe job."

On Sunday, he gave a clinic for the 700 participants in the Jakarta Governor's Cup national junior tournament. As with his on-court demeanor, he is a thoughtful, patient coach.

While Rexy is now a coach for the English national team in Milton Keynes, England, other former players have become involved in the administrative aspects of the sport.

Rexy prefers to stay out of badminton politics for the time being, concentrating on his promotional work and his event organizer business, which he established with some friends.

"I didn't become a member of the executive board of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) or take part in other serious activities in badminton," he said.

Despite his social and business activities at present, his love of badminton will never die. .

He would one day like to coach in a club, still the major training ground for the stars of the future.

"I have a plan to coach, but not now. I always feel satisfied when I share my experiences with badminton talents," he said.