Susi Susanti (JP)

The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) is set to announce a new women’s singles head coach in early February.

“We already have the name of the head coach but we will announce it later,” newly elected PBSI sports development chief Susi Susanti said on Wednesday.

Susi hinted that the PBSI preferred an Indonesian head coach over.

When asked why the long discussion, PBSI deputy secretary-general Achmad Budiharto said several aspects needed to be discussed before the decision was made public.

“Besides, the preferred coach is still living abroad,” he said without further elaboration.

Four candidates were vying for the position of women’s singles coach, but the PBSI continued discussions with only one candidate, whose name has also not been announced.

In the meantime, PBSI assigned Minarti Timur as coaching assistant for women’s singles

Commenting on this, Minarti said she had set practice schedules for the athletes, but the schedules would need to be approved by the head coach.

Besides the women’s singles coach, the PBSI has announced a list of coaches who will train in various categories. Seasoned coach Hendry Saputra has been assigned to train men’s singles athletes while another senior coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, is assigned to train men’s doubles athletes.

Eng Hian, another coach, is assigned to train women’s doubles athletes, while Richard Mainaky will oversee mixed doubles.

These coaches are all under two-year contracts and assessment will take place each year, added Susi.

A number of renowned athletes such as Jonatan Christie, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Ihsan Maulana Mustofa are among those who will train under the men’s single category. While their female colleagues Fitriani Hanna Ramadini, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Dinar Dyah Ayustine are among those in the women’s singles category.

In men’s doubles, the coaches will train, among others, Mohammad Ahsan, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Angga Pratama, Ricky Karanda Suwardi, Rian Agung Saputro and Berry Angriawan.

While Greysia Polii, Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, Della Destiara Haris, Rosyita Eka Putri Sari, Anggia Shitta Awanda, Ni Ketut Mahadewi Istirani are still listed under women’s doubles.

Leading mixed doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir and their colleagues, Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto are still listed as participants at the PBSI training center in Cipayung.

The PBSI had also seen two of its athletes, Hendra Setiawan and Linda Wenifanetri, drop out of training.

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