Taufik unsure of future after coach's terminated contract
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)