Tennis boss faults coaches and players

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association Sarwono Kusumaatmadja yesterday criticized players and coaches for their lack of professionalism.

Sarwono said their slovenly attitude accounted for the failure of Indonesian players to match foreign counterparts in international competition.

"We have many talented players, some with the potential to be world class, but their attitude prevents them from fulfilling that potential," Sarwono said.

He said Indonesian players did not practice if their coaches were absent, despite being very familiar with their training programs.

"This affects their physical fitness. Every time they prepare for international events, we must spend lots of money providing special training programs to help them regain their form," Sarwono complained.

Players could save a lot of necessary expenditure if they were disciplined and maintained a professional attitude.

Sarwono also said that local coaches lacked the desire to improve and learn new techniques. However, he failed to elaborate on this criticism.

According to Sarwono, Austrian coach Gebhard Gritsch would like to return to Indonesia, but first wanted to make sure the tennis body agreed to his salary demands.

Sarwono said he basically accepted the offer, but refused to disclose the Austrian's salary requirements.

"Gebhard is offering to coach our players and we welcome him back. He's a good, tough coach and has a broad knowledge," he said.

The Austrian resigned at the end of last month after the association said it could no longer afford to pay his monthly salary of US$8,500 due to the sharp drop in the rupiah-U.S. dollar exchange rate. (yan)