PBSI Already Has Several Mixed Doubles Coach Candidates

JAKARTA - The Central Management of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) ensures that they have more than one candidate coach for the mixed doubles who will fill the vacant seat left by Riony Mainaky.

Deputy Chairman of the PP PBSI, Taufik Hidayat, said that the candidate for the mixed doubles coach was from within and outside the country. However, he did not want to reveal the names of the prospective coaches who were in the PBSI's consideration.

"It's still empty now," said Taufik when met in Jakarta.

So far, there have been several candidates that are being considered by PBSI, including Indonesian coaches and foreign coaches. The selection process is still ongoing and the final decision will be officially announced by PBSI in the near future.

Taufik refused to confirm rumors that Nova Widianto would sit in the mixed doubles coach's seat. He emphasized that there was no final decision regarding the candidate and asked the public to wait for an official announcement.

"Everything is not certain. I can't convince everyone. Anyway, we will announce it later. There is nothing in my pocket (about the name) that is certain. There are only a few (names)," he said.

He explained that the selection process for coaches could not be done in a hurry. PBSI is still considering various aspects, ranging from track record, training programs, ability to improve athlete performance, to suitability with the needs of the national team.

The Olympic gold medalist said that PBSI also needed to compare the performance of coaches and athletes with the development of other countries. He assessed that success at the national level alone was not enough because international badminton competition was getting tighter.

"If the main performance indicators, again, if sports are performance, targets, daily, training, programs, and achievements. We are nationally, yes, good, but we must also compare it with other countries," he said.

Taufik emphasized that evaluation not only applies to athletes, but also coaches. He said PBSI must ensure that every coach is able to provide significant development to the athletes he handles.

"For the coach as well, if you look at it, it's good, you can train, yes, you can all, but the progress is significant or not," said the former national badminton player.

He added that PBSI did not want to retain athletes and coaches for too long if they did not show progress and achievements. This is considered important to open up space for the regeneration process.

"We are also guilty if we put in Pelatnas (PBSI) who do not have achievements, do not improve too long. It is also a pity for the regeneration below, who are waiting to enter there. That also applies to coaches," he said.