Team manager all-important: Surjadi

BOGOR (JP): Indonesia's team manager for the Thomas and Uber cups will play a crucial role, particularly for the decider in the best-of-five match ties, a former chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said on Thursday.

Surjadi, speaking after watching simulation matches at Padjadjaran Stadium here, said the team manager would be required to boost the players' motivation and fighting spirit in playing their best and decide the right strategy in each match.

PBSI has yet to name a team manager for the Thomas and Uber cups, respectively the sport's premier men's and women's team events. They will be played simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur in May.

PBSI executive director Karsono is rumored to be the choice for the position, but association chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo has not made a formal announcement.

"A team manager must not panic in a critical situation. As the leader of the team, he must be able to take action in his capacity which can please all members," said Surjadi, who was the association's chairman when Indonesia won consecutive Thomas and Uber cups in 1994 in Jakarta and 1996 in Hong Kong. Indonesia also won the Thomas Cup in 1998.

Surjadi said PBSI officials and experienced shuttlers must share their experience with younger members of the team.

"It's different playing in many cities abroad compared to Kuala Lumpur. If we enter the lion's den, we must be sure we are able to tame it. That's what our team manager must do."

Indonesian shuttlers have often suffered injuries during the biennial team competitions.

Surjadi expressed optimism the country's shuttlers would be able to bring home the titles.

However, Subagyo was pessimistic about the chances of the Indonesian women's team, lacking semiretired team stalwart Susi Susanti, even reaching the Uber Cup final.

"We must be realistic. We are only targeting our shuttlers making the semifinals. If they can reach the final, it's will be a blessing from God."

Men's singles player Hendrawan said he would face the toughest challenge of his career as the first singles player.

"I will have to face Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, Wong Choon Han of Malaysia and Xia Xuanze of China. I have equal chances against all of them."

Discussing his preparation, the world number two said: "I was very exhausted in the last two weeks due to the hard training we underwent. I'm sure I can improve my condition in the remaining two weeks."

Hendrawan was pushed to three games against junior Ronny Agustinus 9-15, 15-6, 15-6 in the simulation.

World number one men's doubles pairing Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan edged Sigit Budiarto and Antonius Budi Irianto 15-9, 17- 15.

All four players threw their sweat-soaked T-shirts into the stands of 2,500 spectators.

Second singles Taufik Hidayat defeated Hariyanto Arbi 17-14, 15-7. The veteran doubles team of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky were still too powerful for Flandy Limpele and Halim Heryanto, winning 17-16, 15-3.

In the Uber Cup simulation, Lidya Djaelawidjaja was erratic in losing to fourth singles Niniek Masrikah 8-11, 4-11. Elysa Nathanael and Deyana Lomban beat Carmelita and Indarti Issoliana 15-9, 15-8. Ellen Angelina squeezed by Mona Santoso 11-9, 6-11, 11-7.

Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta fought desperately to beat Minarti Timur and Zelin Resiana, both mixed doubles specialists hastily called up to the injury-plagued team, 10-15, 15-3, 15-12. Yuli Marfuah beat Atu Rosalina 11-6, 11-5. (yan)