Mixed Doubles Hasn't Shown Satisfactory, Indonesia Targets One Title In Bali

PP PBSI mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto (Photo" Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian badminton mixed doubles team is targeting to secure at least one championship title from the three tournaments that will take place at the 2021 Indonesia Badminton Festival (IBF) in Nusa Dua Bali, which will be held on November 16-5 December.

This statement was expressed directly by the mixed doubles coach of Pelatnas PBSI Nova Widianto who puts high hopes on his students considering the sector he cares for has not performed satisfactorily while playing in European tournaments.

"Results in Europe are not good, but we as hosts must try to win one title in the Bali tournament," said Coach Nova, as reported by Antara, Sunday.

The competition at the IBF 2021 is predicted to be difficult because the resilience of the players has decreased after a long match in Europe. For now, the coaching team only focuses on efforts to maintain the athlete's mental and physical fitness.

The tight schedule of matches in the second half of 2021 is seen as the reason a number of athletes play less maturely. Responding to this, Nova has firmly dismissed this view and has asked athletes to maintain discipline during the tournament schedule.

The problem of slack stamina to jet lag is a classic challenge faced by athletes when competing abroad for a long time. Therefore, athletes must have the ability to regulate their body condition, not only prepare techniques and training for matches.

"This is a challenge that must be overcome, like it or not, even though it's hard. All players must also feel the burden, not only physically but also mentally. It must be boring in Europe. Nova confirmed.

Playing as the host at the same time brings its own spirit and burden for the team. Responding to this, Nova hopes that his athletes can play optimally and not have to think about the results from Europe.

By playing domestically, the athlete's mentality is expected to improve and not to become a burden that makes his performance worse.

"Although it is difficult, we must be optimistic, we are the hosts and the children must know that. We have to win here, we don't have to think about how the results were yesterday, the important thing is that in the future it will be good," he concluded.