Three national shuttlers quit

Three national shuttlers quit

JAKARTA (JP): Three national players Ardy B Wiranata, Alan
Budikusuma and Hermawan Susanto have announced they will quit
badminton.

Ardy will train a United States national team while continuing
his studies there. Alan wants to do business, and Hermawan does
not intend to continue his career as a coach.

Hermawan's wife, Sarwendah Kusumawardhani, had no qualms about
his decision to quit badminton. Sarwendah was a national player
in the 1980s and was a part of the Uber Cup team.

"I have no objection to Hermawan quitting badminton as he can
concentrate fully on his family. Lately, he has rarely spent time
with the family because he has had to go overseas for
international tournaments," Sarwendah said.

But Sarwendah told Hermawan that the decision to quit
badminton must be final. "If Hermawan wants to quit badminton, it
must be final. I didn't force him to quit, it was his decision."

Christian Hadinata, the men's doubles coach, said Monday it
was a pity the three players were quitting badminton at a time
when the country needed coaches.

"Actually, we had hoped that Ardy, Alan and Hermawan would
become coaches if they quit badminton. But they were not
interested in the position. Doors are open for them to train
junior players," Christian said as quoted by Antara.

The problem now faced by the Badminton Association of
Indonesia (PBSI) is who will replace Ardy in the Swedish Open,
scheduled from March 4 to March 8. The PBSI had planned to send
Ardy to Helsinki.

Christian said that so far no name had been forwarded to
replace Ardy in the Swedish Open. "We will certainly announce the
replacement of Ardy in Sweden following a meeting with the PBSI."
(lnt)