Shuttlers 'need better future'
JAKARTA (JP): The 1992 Olympic singles gold medalist Alan Budikusuma has urged the Badminton Association of Indonesia to start considering national shuttlers' future after they retire.
"The association should assist players if they want to continue studying or start working. The association currently does not care about players after they are dismissed from the national training center," he told reporters yesterday.
Alan said his club, Djarum, had helped its shuttlers study or find work for years.
"Players don't have to be worried about their futures. China and South Korea also do the same thing," he said.
The 29-year-old player said all shuttlers in the center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, were preparing themselves just in case they are dismissed without notice by the association.
"It happened to Yuliani Sentosa and Yuni Kartika. It could happen to all of us," said Alan.
Yuliani and Yuni were among the shuttlers dismissed by the association last year due to their unimpressive performances in international events.
The association plans to reduce the number of athletes being groomed at the center from the current figure of 76 to around 50.
"I'm sure the association will reduce the number of players after the Indonesian Open next month," he said.
Alan's wife Susi Susanti, also a 1992 Olympic gold medalist, expressed concern over the reduction, especially in the women's singles.
"We don't have enough women's singles players. If the association wants to reduce the number, who will play?" she said.
Susi said Indonesia relied on herself and Mia Audina, the 1996 Olympic silver medalist, in the women's singles. China, by comparison, has many more players.
"Last year, I still had Yuliani and Yuni as my backups, besides Mia. But now, other second stringers have yet to perform to their best ability," she said.
Cindana, Meluawati and Lydia Djaelawidjaja have not been showing consistent form. Third stringers Yuli Marfuah and Ellen still need time to gain more experience of playing in major tournaments.
Susi, who attended the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship press conference yesterday, is looking to win her first title of the year and to retain her World Cup title.
The US$200,000 championship, which will be the last one staged by the International Badminton Federation, will take place at the Sasana Among Raga stadium in Yogyakarta from Aug. 20 to Aug. 24.
Joko Suprianto, Hariyanto Arbi, Indra Wijaya, Candra Wijaya, Sigit Budiarto, Ricky Subadja, Rexy Mainaky, Tri Kusherjanto and Imam Tohari will represent Indonesia in the men's sides.
Susi, Mia, Cindana, Eliza, Zelin Resiana, Indarti Isolina, Deyana Lomban, Minarti Timur and Emma Ermawati will fight in the women's competition.
China will send defending champion Dong Jiong, Sun Jun, Lou Yigang, Ye Zhaoying, Gong Zhichao, Wang Chen, Ge Fei, Gu Jun, Qin Yiyuan, Ton Yongshu. Liu Yong, Tao Xiaoqiang and Ge Cheng. (yan)