Shuttlers accept new training plan

Shuttlers accept new training plan

JAKARTA (JP): National shuttlers have finally agreed to the
decision of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to
change the training system at the Indonesian Badminton Center in
Cipayung, East Jakarta.

PBSI's players board chairman Rexy Mainaky told The Jakarta
Post on Wednesday that all shuttlers met PBSI chairman Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo in a meeting on Monday.

"Pak Bagyo explained to us that changes in the training system
were needed as a part of our strategy to achieve our goals in the
Thomas and Uber cups and the Olympics next year. This is not a
final decision. PBSI will observe if the players can adapt to the
new system. Maybe in 2001 PBSI will set up another new system to
achieve a different target," he said.

PBSI plans to halve the number of shuttlers in the center in
January to focus the top players on retaining the Thomas Cup for
men and bringing home the Uber Cup for women, and winning the
Olympics men's singles and men's doubles gold medals in Sydney in
September.

Thirty-two of 66 shuttlers will remain in the center while the
other 34 will be sent to PBSI's four provincial chapters in
Jakarta, West Java, Central Java and East Java.

"We all can understand Pak Bagyo's explanation. We specially
asked him to meet us because we don't believe in other PBSI
officials anymore," said Rexy, who won the 1996 Olympics gold
medal with partner Ricky Subagja.

The players board vice chairman Hendrawan said PBSI would
observe the shuttlers' form in the center for the next three
months.

"PBSI can consider either to move on or stop the new program
if the players feel dissatisfied with the condition in those
chapters," he said.

PBSI official in charge of athletes development Mangombar
Ferdinand Siregar said that the association discussed with three
chapters and they approved preparing the new system by April at
the latest.

Speaking after a meeting with officials from Jakarta, West
Java and East Java chapters on Monday, Siregar said they made
four decisions.

"The first is that all chapters agree to conduct the decision
on applying the new system. Secondly, we all agree that we need
several months to promote the new system, especially to players
to avoid them feeling they have been expelled from the center.

"Third, fielding the players in some chapters is meant to
groom young talented athletes in our provincial chapters. They
can be promoted to join the center if they can win national
tournaments. On the other hand, players in the center can be
moved to the chapters if their performance declines.

"The fourth is shuttlers in the center will compete in the
four, five and six star tournaments while players in the chapters
are scheduled to compete in the one, two and three star
tournaments."

Speaking on team managers for the Thomas and Uber cups and the
Olympics, Rexy said the players board submitted a couple of names
to Subagyo.

"We told him that we don't want other names than the two we
submitted above. We don't trust other officials and we doubt the
ability of others to be team managers," said Rexy, who declined
to mention the players' picks. (yan)