Taufik launches biography

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian badminton star Taufik Hidayat, who is currently grappling with a coaching problem, launched his biography, Taufik Hidayat, the Driving Force in Badminton, here on Tuesday.

"I want to share information and my experiences in badminton with my fans. Hopefully, the book can satisfy them," the 22-year- old Taufik said at a media conference here.

The 100-page book was completed in less than one month, according to writer Broto Happy.

"I have been compiling data, including comments by Taufik, since 1994 when I first got to know him," said Broto, who is a senior journalist at the tabloid Bola.

The book contains seven chapters with topics ranging from Taufik's early rise to badminton fame, his successes and failures in tournaments and his falling out with the Badminton Association of Indonesian, to his relationship with soap opera star Deswita Maharani.

"I want to tell fans who I am, not only about badminton but also about my off-court life," Taufik said.

Past badminton stars, including eight-time All England champion Rudi Hartono, released biographies after they retired from the sport.

"I hope this book can motivate me to play ever better," Taufik said.

Copies of the book will go on sale in conjunction with the ongoing JVC Asia badminton championship at the Bung Karno indoor tennis hall, where Taufik will be looking to improve on his second place finish in Bangkok last year.

However, he will have to deal with his parting from coach Joko Supriyanto.

Taufik successfully defended his Indonesia Open title last month, but then lost in the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open, his first tournament without the presence of a coach.