Susi, Alan resign from badminton center
Susi, Alan resign from badminton center
JAKARTA (JP): Former badminton queen Susi Susanti and husband
Alan Budikusuma have officially resigned as player and assistant
coach from the Indonesian Badminton Center.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) secretary-
general, Leo Chandra Wiranata, told reporters on Wednesday that
PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo approved the resignation
request on Sept. 2.
In her letter dated Sept. 1, Susi wrote: "I realize that I am
a married woman and I recently delivered my baby, and I think I
will not be able to perform well in badminton tournaments..."
Susi, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist and the 1996 Olympic
bronze medalist, married longtime boyfriend Alan in February
1997. Susi, whose huge collection of titles is only missing the
Asian Games gold, took a break from badminton beginning last
year. The 28-year-old shuttler gave birth to a baby girl,
Laurencia Averina Wiratama, on April 26, 1999.
Alan in his letter said: "Due to my limited time at the moment
and my willingness to start my own business, I herewith in this
letter officially resign from my position as a coach at the
badminton center."
Alan, also the 1992 Olympics men's singles gold medalist, has
coached at the center for nearly a year. The 31-year-old Alan has
assisted men's singles coach, Agus Dwi Santoso, to train
Hendrawan, Budi Santoso, Indra Wijaya, Hariyanto Arbi, Ronny
Agustinus and younger brother Johan Hadikusuma.
Susi said that she could not concentrate equally on her family
and career.
"First, I considered my age and, second, it's about my family.
If I still play, I won't be able to perform as well as before I
was pregnant. I don't want to embarass the country with my poor
form. I have committed to only pick between career and family."
Susi said she would not mind being a practice partner for
younger players.
"I'll come to the center in Cipayung sometimes. It's also good
for my diet program," she said with a laugh.
Susi acknowledged that her husband wanted to start his own
business.
"I think as the head of the family, he realizes that he has
more responsibility right now. But he still has a good
relationship with his athletes. They still call him to share
experiences."
Leo, speaking on Hariyanto Arbi's plan to move to Singapore,
said both players and PBSI officials should reflect on their
actions to find the solution to the growing trend for shuttlers
to switch national allegiances.
"Shuttlers must realize that PBSI has done so many things,
from providing coaches, facilities and dormitory for free,
sending them to tournaments abroad, etc.
"But officials must also realize that shuttlers wouldn't
prefer to move to other countries without cause."
"We must find a solution to the problem. If we have discussed
and improved the condition but they still want to go, there's
nothing else we can do."
Leo denied reports which said PBSI registered Indonesia Open
champion Taufik Hidayat to compete in the JVC Asian Badminton
Championships in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 15 to Sept. 19.
"We have never registered his name, I don't know how can his
name is on the list when the draw cannot be changed," he said.
Antara reported on Tuesday that Taufik was the third seed
after Sun Jun of China and Fung Permadi of Chinese Taipei. (yan)