Tontowi Ahmad Highlights The Regeneration Of PBSI Mixed Doubles, Losing Away From Other Countries

Former Indonesian mixed doubles player, Tontowi Ahmad. (Photo via ANTARA/Shofi Ayudiana)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's mixed doubles performance continues to be highlighted. No partner has been able to continue the post-era achievements of Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir.

The pair Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti had become a hope. However, consistency is a problem. They are also now outside the PBSI National Training Center.

While in the national training, nothing can really be relied on. Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, Adnan Maulana/Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso and Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati are still not ripe.

Hal ini pun mendapat sorotan dari Tontowi. Dia mengatakan, gap atau jarak yang terlalu jauh pada regenerasi ganda campuran Indonesia membuat sektor tersebut sulit bersaing di level atas.

"What is less than mixed doubles now is from the regeneration in my opinion. So, when I was with Butet (Liyana Natsir's nickname) for example, when I was number one, the relay should have been ranked second or third in Indonesia," said Tontowi as quoted from Antara.

"But, now it's different. The baton fell to number four or five, while other countries have the same players," Tontowi added.

Indonesian mixed doubles that can contribute titles in major tournaments after Tontowi/Liliyana's retirement is Praven/Melati who won the All England 2020. However, after that, Indonesia's mixed doubles achievement went free, not a single title was won.

Tontowi then gave an example of regeneration in China from Zhang Nan/Zhao Yun Lei which was then continued by Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong. Then there is Thailand which now has Dechapol/Sapsiree.

"So, the number one they have met with our number three. So if we meet with the number one country, we are still left behind. My message is for younger siblings, I'm not vilifying them. They have to work harder. Our target is to catch up with them," said Tontowi.

The national mixed doubles number three should be stable from now on. However, the second and third national rankings have disappeared. So, what is (national) number four must be ranked number one nationally, so there is a gap there like it or not," concluded the man from Banyumas.