INDONESIAN coach Hendrawan cannot help but envy Malaysia as far as the government’s support for badminton is concerned.
Indonesian shuttlers have, since last month, been forced to leave the national training centre and rejoin their respective clubs due to financial difficulties.
The All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) do not have the money to pay for the players’ meals and accommodation.
The players will report for centralised training in January but will have to find their own sponsors if they want to compete in the Malaysian and Korean Opens next month.
In fact, the PBSI did not send any of their coaches for the ongoing Super Series Masters Finals in Kota Kinabalu.
The PBSI are still negotiating with Yonex about contract renewal.
Hendrawan’s trip was paid for by his sponsors.
Hendrawan hopes that the Indonesian government would be more supportive of the sport.
“This is a time of transition in Indonesia. We have a new president — Dgjoko Santoso. Only selected players will report for centralised training in January,” said Hendrawan.
“I heard the Malaysian government are planning to set up a new multi-million training centre. And here (in Indonesia), we are struggling financially,” said Hendrawan.
Hendrawan can’t help but envy the support that badminton gets here