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)