Taufik gives PBSI 2 weeks to include Mulyo

JAKARTA (JP): World number four Taufik Hidayat gave the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) two weeks to reconsider its decision not to offer his coach Mulyo Handoyo a contract with the Indonesian Badminton Center.

He said Mulyo's exclusion was based on personal reasons and had nothing to do with his achievements as a coach.

"I give PBSI two weeks to reconsider its decision. They will read the news tomorrow and I will wait for their reaction. If after two weeks they have not taken action, I will decide whether I will compete in or skip the All England," the 19-year-old shuttler said during a media conference on Friday.

"I reached the All England finals twice (in 1999 and 2000). This year, I hope to win it. But with only one month left, PBSI took the drastic step of not calling Mas Mulyo (to the center). I feel like I was stabbed in the back," he said, unable to hide his tears.

"PBSI has always demanded good results from me but how can I achieve these results without a good coach who really understands me?" he asked.

"My coach is the only person who knows what to do to help me reach my peak form in only one month."

Earlier, PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, who was the target of Taufik's criticism of the organization's performance in November, told The Jakarta Post and GO sports tabloid it was uncertain Mulyo could help Taufik succeed at the All England.

"Is it guaranteed that being coached by Mulyo can help Taufik win the All England? Let's see what he has done so far. He even failed to reach the semifinals of the Sydney Olympics in September," Subagyo said after a practice at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"I don't have any personal dispute with Taufik but we must see how he did in the last few tournaments, including the Ipoh Master and the Inter-Club National Badminton Championships."

Taufik failed to reach the semifinals of the Ipoh Master and had to play a rubber set in the semifinals of the Inter-Club championships.

Taufik defended himself saying that he managed to reach the All England final last year, won the Indonesia and Malaysia opens, as well as the Asian Badminton Championships. Taufik also was undefeated in Indonesia's successful campaign to bring home the Thomas Cup for the 12th time in May.

"PBSI should have reviewed Mas Mulyo's performance. His two athletes, me and Marlev, won our matches in the Thomas Cup. We both qualified for the Olympics although we lost in the early rounds. They should have considered his work instead of his personal life."

Subagyo said PBSI decided not to call Mulyo to the center because of "regeneration".

But he later said another men's singles coach, Agus Dwi Santoso, had shown a lot of promise. "He also has a good personality."

Taufik, who was unable to play in the Korea Open and World Grand Prix Finals because of a suspension handed to him by PBSI, confirmed that he would not attend the training center's opening roll call on Monday.

"I don't know what to do without my coach and I have to cool down and think before making a decision.

"Besides, I doubt the new coach will be able to understand my personality like Mas Mulyo. It will take time to adapt to a new coach.

"I think PBSI must involve shuttlers in naming coaches as they directly affect our performance," he said.

Taufik said it was clear that some badminton officials were eager to see his career derailed.

"It is quite obvious that some PBSI officials are delighted to see my career going down. Especially when one official said I was allowed to pick any coach I wanted except Mulyo," he said, refusing to name the official.

He said he could have accepted the decision if the reasoning behind it was logical and he had been told in advance.

"If only the PBSI officials told me that Mas Mulyo's contract expired and they were thinking of hiring someone else based on his superior achievements, then I might have been able to accept it.

"But it was so sudden and the weirdest thing is that the players were not told about the decision. I found out about this from the press."

Taufik denied reports that Mulyo was too lenient with him. "Mas Mulyo was always angry if I was undisciplined. He always told me to keep on the right track."

And he refused to discuss reports that Mulyo is in the process of divorcing his wife. "About his personal life, I don't care. I have been under his supervision for four years and found that we make a great team and perform well together regardless of his personal problems."

"I also have my own attitude problems. I lack discipline but we proved ourselves on the court by achieving good results." (nvn/yan)