Supermom Susi keeps her hopes high for young ones

Damar Harsanto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 05/17/2008 11:15 AM  |  Sports

Time is precious for former Indonesian badminton queen Susi Susanti, who has her hands full juggling three roles -- Indonesia's Uber Cup team manager, owner of sports equipment company Susi Sports and mom.

"I have to allocate my time well. I can't always be with the Uber Cup team. When the team has a day off from training, I go home to see my children and check my business," Susi said during a recent interview.

She said looking after her children was as important as managing the country's national team.

"My children need me, especially now as they are facing final exams." Her three children are studying at elementary school.

"With the Uber team, I see myself as their older sister and share my experience with them. I am not old enough to be their mom," the 37-year-old said.

By being the team's older sister, she hoped the team would become more solid.

"The Uber Cup is a team event. We have to build strong teamwork, where members really feel they belong to the team," said the 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medalist. Susi also starred on Indonesia's winning Uber Cup teams in 1994 and 1996.

Her time spent on the Uber Cup team has paid off. Indonesia reached the final after defeating Germany 3-1 on Thursday at Bung Karno Sports Hall in Jakarta.

This is the first time Indonesia has made it to the final since 1998. The team also went beyond the Indonesian Badminton Association's expectations, who expected a semifinal finish. Even this looked like a long-shot, given that two years ago in Japan, the Indonesian team failed to even qualify for the Uber Cup main round.

"I have always believed that my players are great players. They keep improving. Their current momentum is a momentum that might not strike twice," she said.

"I believe my little sisters can deliver the highest goal. They have told me they are ready to win the title back."

Indonesia will take on defending champion China in the final. China is the favorite and has won the trophy 10 times compared to Indonesia's three.

However, "China is not invincible," Susi said.

Susi herself won various major titles during her career, including the All-England in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994, the World Badminton Grand Prix consecutively from 1990 to 1994, and the IBF World Championships in 1993.

"China's players are not as strong as they have been in the past. There's nothing to fear. We shouldn't overestimate them," she said.

A  |   A  |   A  |    |   |    |    |    |  

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.