Taufik may turn down PBSI call to join national team
Taufik may turn down PBSI call to join national team
JAKARTA (JP): World number four Taufik Hidayat may not join
the national squad in response to the Badminton Association of
Indonesia (PBSI)'s failure to include his coach Mulyo Handoyo in
the Indonesian Badminton Center.
"I haven't spoken to Mas Mulyo about the new national team
line-up. If PBSI doesn't call him back to the center, there is a
possibility that I will also decline to join the national squad,"
Taufik told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview on
Thursday.
"He is the perfect coach for me. If he's not at the center,
how about my preparations for the All England and other
tournaments in the future."
"I wonder why PBSI didn't include him on the list," he said.
Commenting on rumors that Mulyo was not asked to join the
center because of personal problems at home, Taufik said it was
none of his business.
"I've heard the rumors but I don't really care. What's
important to me is he works hard and is good at his job. I never
had any problem with him since the day I was admitted to the
center four years ago," he said.
PBSI named Agus Dwi Santoso as the men's singles coach.
Previously, Agus and Mulyo coached the men's singles.
PBSI also named Paulus as the women's doubles coach, but it
has yet to appoint their assistants.
Former world champion Verawaty Fadjrin will take over as the
women's singles coach from Liang Chiushia, and she will be
assisted by Khoe Mei Hwa.
Richard Mainaky continues as mixed doubles coach and he will
be assisted by Yanti Kusmiati.
PBSI also has yet to appoint an assistant to men's doubles
coach Herry Imam Pierngadi or a physical trainer.
"Each coach and assistant is employed under a one-year
contract that ranges from Rp 7.5 to 10 million (US$793 to $1,058)
per month," said PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata.
"The amount is shared between the coach and the assistant
depending on their seniority and experience."
Separately, women's doubles shuttler Deyana Lomban said she
expected to achieve better results under the new women's doubles
coach.
"I will work harder to achieve better results during the rest
of the year. We have to make the necessary changes to improve our
results," she told the Post over the phone.
"Especially because Carmelita and I haven't enjoyed good
results in the past."
Deyana, nicknamed Keke, said she was ready to resign from the
training center if she failed to improve her play.
Reduction
PBSI officially reduced the number of senior shuttlers at the
center from 56 to only 39.
Top Indonesian shuttlers invited to the center include
Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat and Marlev Mainaky in men's singles;
Lydia Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Angelina and Yuli Marfuah in women's
singles; Tony Gunawan, Candra Wijaya, Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian
in men's doubles; Deyana Lomban, Carmelita, Etty Tantri and
Indarti Issoliana in women's doubles; and Bambang Supriyanto, Tri
Kusherjanto, Emma Ermawati and Minarti Timur in mixed doubles.
Leo also said PBSI has given five veteran shuttlers until July
to improve their performances or leave the center.
"PBSI will ask them to resign if they fail to perform well or
are unable to recover from injuries. They will be replaced by
juniors."
PBSI has invited 21 young shuttlers to join the center.
"Sixteen shuttlers were automatically admitted to the center
based on their achievements during last year's circuit," Leo
said.
"The other five shuttlers will be selected from 10 nominees.
The selection will be held on Monday."
The new members at the center include World Junior
Championships finalists Sonny Dwi Kuncoro and Wiempi Mahardi in
the men's singles; Silvia Antarini and Dewi Tira in the women's
singles; Alven, Iwan Eko, Yan Pieter, Tri Heru, Deni Setiawan and
Doni Prasetya in the men's doubles; Monica, Lita Nurlita, Ernita
and Yunita in the women's doubles; and Hendra and Lina in the
mixed doubles.
Sigit Pamungkas will oversee the junior doubles players, while
Joko Suprianto will be in charge of the singles shuttlers.
(nvn/yan)