Shuttlers have yet to show team spirit

JAKARTA (JP): The Sudirman Cup is just 18 days away but national shuttlers have yet to show team spirit, psychologist Singgih Gunarsa said yesterday.

"Generally, they don't seem to have the spirit. But some individuals have shown theirs and they are highly motivated," he said at the National Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

Singgih said Susi Susanti and Mia Audina were two of the most motivated.

"They practice very hard and very thoroughly," he said.

Singgih said some players, because of their loss at the All England badminton championship in March, had lost their confidence and had doubts about their ability.

"I usually encourage them to boost their motivation and spirit. That's my job as a psychologist," he said.

Singgih said the preparation for the Sudirman Cup, which will be from May 19 to May 25 and continue on to the World Championships from May 26 to June 1, was later than expected.

"We have less than two months to prepare the team and I think it's not enough. If we compare it with the Thomas and Uber cups last year, we had more preparation time," he said.

"I hope we still have time to boost their fighting spirit for the event," he said.

There are two groups in the team -- seniors and juniors -- which can affect the team's preparation and motivation.

"Each coach will try hard to field his or her athletes at the event. There's a subjectivity in choosing the players," he said.

"Coaches must also listen to their players' suggestions about the team. It would really help the whole team to perform their best," he said.

An Indonesian Badminton Association official, Hadi Nasri, said coaches have worked on players' physical condition after returning from the All England.

"Since many people blamed the athletes physical condition as the losing factor, we urged coaches to give extra physical training," he said.

Hadi said all players have entered the competition phase since April 28.

"They still have to improve their accuracy and technical skills, especially on critical points. Based on the simulation results last week, we could see that the shuttlers still need more consistency," he said.

"They also still have to boost their fighting spirit, and improve their sociological relationships with teammates, coaches and officials".

Preparation

Hadi said Indonesia, which will be in the same group with Denmark and Sweden, has to win it.

"If we win the group, it will make it easier to go through to the finals," he said.

If Indonesia wins the group, it will probably meet China in the finals. China will be in the same group with South Korea and England.

Hadi said Indonesia has booked the championship court in Scotstoun, Glasgow, for one day to practice.

On May 16, the team will train on the practice court from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On May 17, the team will work out at 10 a.m. on the championship court and continue on the practice court from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. They will train on the practice court at 5 p.m.

On May 18, the team will work out on the practice court at 4 p.m. and continue on the championship court at 5 p.m.

"We have prepared everything, from the courts to the food, to support our team's preparation there," he said.

A two-man team will leave May 13 while the main team will leave May 15.

Hadi said Indonesia's female players would meet Chinese players for the first time since the third round of the World Championship.

Indonesia is sending only Susi, Mia, Meluawati and Cindana while China will field eight shuttlers, including Ye Zhaoying, Gong Zhichao, Han Jingna, Wang Chen and Zhang Ning. (yan)