Thomas Cup a checkpoint for Olympics, Agus says

Thomas Cup a checkpoint for Olympics, Agus says

JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) vice
chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah said on Saturday that the Thomas
Cup could be a leverage point for Indonesian male shuttlers to
reach victory in the Olympics.

"If our shuttlers can retain the Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur in
May, I believe their way to reach victory in the Olympics in
Sydney in September is wide open," he said at the Indonesian
Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"On the contrary, if we fail in the Thomas Cup, it will be
really difficult to raise athletes' motivation to fight their
best in the Olympics."

Agus was optimistic that national shuttlers would be able to
retain the Thomas Cup. However, he was doubtful on the Uber Cup
team's chances in the event in Kuala Lumpur in May.

In the draw made by the International Badminton Federation
(IBF), Indonesia is in Thomas Cup group B with China, England and
Sweden. While in Group A, host Malaysia will face Denmark, South
Korea and India.

In the Uber Cup, Indonesia will have to fight hard against
Denmark, Japan and host Malaysia in group A. In group B,
defending champion China will meet South Korea, the Netherlands
and Sweden.

Agus said PBSI still had time to create a conducive atmosphere
prior to the Thomas and Uber Cups and the Olympics.

"It's not too late to build unity among shuttlers, coaches and
officials in order to reach our goals. The three parties must
trust each other as it's really important to create synergy in
motivation and fighting spirit," he said

"To trust others, we must not see their weaknesses but we must
look at ourselves. We have to improve ourselves to create a
better situation," he said.

"Prior to major events like Thomas and Uber Cups and the
Olympics, we must create a situation which is completely
different to their daily routines."

Agus, the 1998 Thomas and Uber Cups team manager, said he
experienced the same situation in 1998, but Indonesia managed to
retain the Thomas Cup thanks to athletes' fighting spirit and
good teamwork.

Indonesia was the underdog in the event and the situation was
worsened by riots at home, which eventually forced former
president Soeharto to step down.

Agus hoped that his comeback as an official would have a
positive meaning not only to shuttlers but also to coaches and
officials.

"In my capacity as vice chairman, I will help PBSI chairman
(Subagyo Hadisiswoyo) in preparing the team for the Thomas and
Uber Cups and the Olympics," he said.

Agus, an Army major general, was posted as the
Wirabuana/Sulawesi Military Commander in Makassar, South
Sulawesi, late last year. He will be installed as Army Strategic
Reserves Command (Kostrad) chief on March 29.

Agus has promised to fulfill athletes' request for him to be
more active in PBSI as they said they really needed a role model
like Agus who has been willing to pay attention to, listen to and
understand them.

"Officials must realize that they must have public
accountability. If they can't fulfill the public's hope, they
must resign from their posts." (yan)