Tennis boss faults coaches and players

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)