Jakarta: Head of development and performance for Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) – Rexy Mainaky told Indonesian media on Friday that PBSI has no responsibility to take care of Indonesian players who are eligible to compete in Olympics but have quit the national team.
“We only address issues for players in the national team. It’s the responsibility of their own club to take care of those athletes who are no longer in the national team,” said Rexy.
Currently, both Tommy Sugiarto and Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka who have resigned from the Indonesian national team are regarded as Indonesian men’s singles badminton players to have the best possible chance to compete in the Rio Olympics. Tommy Sugiarto has gone back to the Pelita Bakrie badminton club, while Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka is now playing for the Djarum Kudus club.
Rexy hoped those badminton clubs could take the Olympic preparation seriously, to equip Sugiarto and Rumbaka with skills required to excel on the badminton court at Rio.
“Well, they still compete on behalf of the country, they should take the commitment seriously,” added Rexy.
Meanwhile, Rexy also acknowledged that men’s doubles pair Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan and mixed doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir have huge chances of winning a medal for the country.
“Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan and Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir remain our brightest medal prospects in the Olympics, but Ricky Widianto/Richi Puspita Dili could also pull off a surprise, if they can play a more mature game on the badminton court,” said Rexy.
