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ndonesian badminton legends lamented the lack of new shuttlers following their shock defeat at the quarterfinal rounds of both the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton championship in Wuhan, China, on Wednesday.

“The crucial point [in Indonesian badminton] is when senior players become stagnant, yet the younger shuttlers have not reached the seniors’ standard — they’re not even close,” Indonesian coach coordinator for doubles Christian Hadinata told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Christian, who helped the nation triumph at the Thomas Cup in 1973, 1976, 1979 and 1984, said that the regeneration gap had been caused by the expectations of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) to defend its national pride by sweeping all titles in many multi-sporting events such as the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and the Asian Games, which had caused the association to favor senior players and put aside the juniors.

“As you know, many have expected us to win events and collect more gold medals. It is impossible to only deploy the seniors or only the juniors; we, therefore, often combine senior and junior players to cover the gap,” the former men’s doubles player said.

“Honestly, we have a huge gap between the senior and junior players. It’s even become a dilemma in making the rosters,” added the softly spoken coach.

Christian suggested that the PBSI apply strict selections for players. “In doubles, we must pick at least four pairs in both men’s and women’s,” he said. Christian’s Thomas Cup record is notable. He has played in six consecutive campaigns from 1973 to 1986, and with a variety of doubles partners, he dropped only one match, helping Indonesia capture the cup on four occasions in 1973, 1976, 1979 and 1984.

“In men’s, we can set up rising shuttlers Angga [Pratama]-Ryan [Agung Saputra] as well Bona [Septano]-[Mohammad] Ahsan, and look for other potential pair as their layers,” said the 62-year-old, who was introduced into the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 2001.

Christian suggested replacing seniors and golden Olympians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, who were in decline.

“In women’s, we have potentials [Anneke] Feinya [Agustin]-Nitya [Krishinda Maheswari] and Suci [Rizky Andini]-Della [Destiara Haris]. We need to look for two more pairs as their layers,” he added.

To make a smooth regeneration system, Christian challenged all parties to allow the deployment of young and less-experienced shuttlers at SEA Games.

“Other countries, like Malaysia, have seen the SEA Games and even Asian Games as perfect try-out events for their young shuttlers in order to be successful in the pinnacle of group matches like at the
Indonesian Open as well as the Thomas and Uber Cup.

“We haven’t been able to apply such methods because we’re always forced to win,” said Christian, adding that it was important for young shuttlers to experience the atmosphere of international tournaments.

Eight-time All England champion Rudy Hartono blamed the shuttlers and PBSI’s inability to maintain the shuttlers stamina for the loss.

“Not all players in the roster were in good shape, and the opponents could see that gap,” the former world champion said, as quoted by Harian Detik.

“Besides, PBSI has paid the shuttlers too much and has given them a huge bonus so they don’t focus while playing,” said the man who joined the Thomas Cup teams who brought home the trophy in 1973, 1976 and 1979.

The Barcelona Olympic gold medalist, Susi Susanti, also sees a decline in the performance of Indonesian shuttlers.

“Inevitably, our Thomas team failed for the first time against Japan. We used to call it a failure to even nail runner-up, let alone this, beaten in the top-eight stage,” the woman who led the Indonesian Uber team to win the cup in 1994 and 1996 said. Indonesia only won the Uber in 1975, 1994 and 1996.

Susi saw that most of the Indonesian Thomas’s team shuttlers were not brave and strong enough in winning critical points. “Other than that, the ones who we predicted could go far, failed.”

In Uber, Susi lauded the Indonesian team that had given an all-out performance, although she deplored the loss in the decisive match of Indonesian Lindaweni Fanetri against Japanese Minatsu Mitani.

“Our shuttlers need to seriously make their way of thinking better and be courageous while playing decisive moments,” said the 41-year-old Olympian.

Back in the old days, Indonesia was the most forceful team of all by bringing home the Thomas trophy 13 times and nailing five runner-ups, while the Uber team triumphed three times and became runner-up seven times.