Taufik unsure of future after coach's terminated contract
JAKARTA (JP): Shuttler Taufik Hidayat, ranked second in the world, is unsure of his future at the Indonesian Badminton Center after the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced on Wednesday it was terminating the contract of his coach Mulyo Handoyo.
"I don't know what to do. I'm still confused. I've already heard about PBSI's decision but I haven't met with Mas Mulyo. He called me yesterday to ask what I would do. I told him that I still have no plan," Taufik told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday by phone.
"I had spoken with my friends and family, but I still have no idea. I think I'll train by myself until I can meet with Mulyo. Perhaps I'll talk to him this weekend."
Mulyo was unable to be contacted for comment.
PBSI executive director Karsono said it was decided during an executive meeting to terminate Mulyo's contract. The meeting was attended by PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, training director Christian Hadinata, official in charge of athlete development Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata and Karsono.
"After PBSI, at Taufik's request, extended Mulyo's contract in February until the World Championships, the association decided to terminate the contract effective June 15. From now on Taufik will be coached by Agus Dwi Santoso," Karsono said as quoted by Antara news agency.
He also said Mulyo was informed of the decision while the Indonesian squad was in Seville, Spain, for the Sudirman Cup and World Championships.
Leo declined to confirm the decision, saying that PBSI would make an announcement on Monday.
"It would be unfair if I made the decision public before handing the official letter to Mulyo. I don't want to be the next sitting duck over controversial issues.
"I hope to make it public next Monday at the latest. But I think you all have the picture already," he said.
Taufik said he had not yet begun training with Agus. "It's not that I don't want to, but I still can't accept the decision. Today I trained with the doubles players. Christian urged me to start training with Mas Agus but I still can't."
Agus said he was ready to begin working with the 19-year-old Taufik, who is known for his outspoken opinions of PBSI officials.
"I'm ready. It's not a problem at all. It all depends on Taufik."
Agus said the talented Taufik only needed to improve his physical conditioning and his handling of nontechnical matters.
"For his physical conditioning, I will have to consult with physical trainer Paulus Pasurney."
The chairman of PBSI's West Java chapter, Lutfi Hamid, had urged PBSI to rethink its decision on Mulyo, who he said was an ideal coach to handle the sometimes undisciplined Taufik.
Taufik -- who just returned from a five-day promotional trip to the Philippines for Japanese-based electronics producer JVC, his main sponsor -- said he planned to compete in the Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur next month.
"As the defending champion, I really want to defend my title. PBSI has registered me for the event but I'm still not sure if I can go."
The relationship between Taufik and Subagyo has been tense sense the shuttler verbally attacked the PBSI chairman, urging him to resign. Subagyo then made the unexpected decision earlier this year not to include Mulyo in the center. This prompted Taufik, a two-time All England runner-up, to threaten to leave the center if PBSI did not extend Mulyo's contract.
PBSI bowed, somewhat, to Taufik's demands, extending Mulyo's contract through the World Championships, where Taufik was forced to resign from his semifinal match with compatriot and eventual champion Hendrawan due to injury. (nvn/yan)