Thu, 09 Sep 1999

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)