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PBSI encourages juniors to mount a challenge against seniors
A radical format change to the national badminton series currently being contested was adopted Thursday by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), as it seeks to encourage young players to challenge their seniors
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radical format change to the national badminton series currently being contested was adopted Thursday by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), as it seeks to encourage young players to challenge their seniors.
The PBSI has decided to up the cash prizes from Rp 50 million to Rp 150 million starting from the fourth series of the tournament currently underway in Tegal, Central Java.
Upping the ante puts the tournament, which also features participants from France, Canada, Egypt and Germany, on a par with international challenge tournaments.
The badminton body has also upgraded points to be awarded to the winners in the adult division, from 1,700 to 2,500, bringing the tournament on a par with international series events.
The Tegal event runs from July 20 to 25.
The series of tournaments, which began in February, concluded its first three events in Tarakan (East Kalimantan), Jakarta and Bandung.
The remaining four series will be in Surabaya (July 27-31), Bali (Aug. 11-15), Medan (Oct. 13-17) and Makassar (Nov. 10-14).
"The upgraded points, which will decide national rankings, and the increased prize money on offer are expected to motivate more juniors to compete in the adult group," Fung Permadi, head of the PBSI's talent-scouting team, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
The points collected by reaching the semifinals of the adult group, Fung went on, would be the same as for winning a junior event.
"We hope more young shuttlers play in the adult group, so that when they reach the age of 17 or 18, they can perform just like Rudy Hartono," Fung said, referring to the Indonesian badminton legend who won the All England eight times between 1968 and 1976.
"These youngsters should be encouraged to play at a higher level to better shape up their skills."
Fung added the PBSI did not expect an immediate response to the new policy.
"The improvement may come in the next two or three years," he said.
At the end of the series, top players in the national rankings will be given the chance to take part in the national selections next February for junior training camp.
The PBSI is also looking to add two more events to the series.
