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)