\'This is not a matter of ‘not being nationalist’

KOMPAS/AGUNG SETYAHADI

Rexy Mainaky, kepala pelatih tim bulu tangkis Thailand, saat konferensi pers seusai semifinal kejuaraan beregu campuran Piala Sudirman antara China dan Thailand di Guangxi Sports Center, Nanning, China, Sabtu (25/5/2019). Thailand kalah 0-3 dari China.

Indonesian coaches with careers abroad have frequently been accused of not being nationalist. But they make the move for the sake of their families and a better future.

"Not nationalist" comments written in incomplete sentences are received by Hendrawan, the 2001 badminton world champion, on every photo uploaded on his Instagram account. These comments still appear even though Hendrawan has been the badminton coach for the Malaysian national team since 2009.

Also read:

> Guaranteeing the Future of Behind-the-Scenes Figures

> Athletes’ Security a Concern for Indonesian Sports

Accusations of not being nationalist are often addressed to coaches from Indonesia, especially from badminton, who have taken careers abroad. Besides being Hendrawan’s new location, Malaysia also hosts coaches Paulus Firman, Flandy Limpele and Indra Wijaya. Meanwhile, Rexy Mainaky is currently coaching in Thailand, after migrating to England and Malaysia and Agus Dwi Santoso coaches in India, previously having served in Thailand and South Korea.

A number of other well-known names also work in countries where badminton is not a favorite sport. Among them is Muamar Qadafi in Guatemala, who accompanied Kevin Cordon to the semifinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

After retiring as an athlete, Rexy started his career as a coach abroad for the England national team in 2001, even though he still wanted to coach at home. “Everyone wants to work in their own country. I want that too. However, the opportunity for me came from abroad,” said Rexy in an online interview last week.

After four years in England, Rexy coached the Malaysian team in 2005-2012, nurturing the talent of Tan Boon Heong/Koo Kien Keat, who went on to be one of the best men\'s doubles in the world at the time. Rexy was then withdrawn by the central board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) in the Gita Wirjawan era (2012-2016) to become chairman of the Achievement Development Division. At that time, Indonesia’s badminton team again won Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro 2016 by Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir.

After Rexy\'s skill was no longer used by the PBSI in the next round of management, he accepted the assignment of technical director at the Thai Badminton Association.

AP PHOTO/LAI SENG SIN/FILE

Malaysia\'s Koo Kean Keat, right, and teammate Tan Boon Heong, left, celebrate with their coach Rexy Mainaky after defeating China\'s Guo Zhendong and Xu Chen 21-15, 17-21, 21-16 in their men\'s doubles final match at the Malaysia Open Badminton Super Series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.

High appreciation is one of the considerations for having a career abroad. As a foreign coach, Rexy receives a salary and allowances, such as health and housing. There are also bonuses given after athletes achieve at events such as the Olympics.

Coaches are given rewards according to their performance. If it exceeds the target, the coach has the right to negotiate the salary in the following period. "There are rewards and punishments for every contract," said Rexy.

Hendrawan added that coaches had a high bargaining position when their abilities were needed. "The bargaining position is high when the association proposes, not by applying," he said.

Also read:

> They Lived Like Kings, Now Their Lives are Miserable

> Indonesia Awakens, Never be Complacent

In Malaysia, contracts are made every two years. Hendrawan received a salary, medical allowances, housing and school assistance when his two children followed him to Malaysia in 2010.

The future

Searching for new challenges and managing a better future for the family are two reasons why Indonesian badminton coaches go abroad. Awards abroad are well managed because sports coaching is a recognized profession.

ANTARA FOTO/PRASETYO UTOMO

Head of the Development and Achievement Division of PP PBSI Rexy Mainaky (left) jokes with the Indonesian women\'s badminton player, member of the 2016 Olympic team Greysia Polii (right) on the sidelines of training at the PBSI Cipayung National Training Center, Jakarta, Wednesday (20/7).

“In Korea, for example, Olympic champions get pensions for life. In Malaysia too. In Indonesia? Based on this fact, my family is my main consideration in choosing to train abroad,” said Rexy.

Moreover, it is not easy to get the opportunity to train the "Red and White" squad. The lag period in the change of management of the PBSI can lead to coaches being unemployed until the next new contracts, as was the case with Paulus in 2008. This was also the reason Hendrawan made the move to Malaysia.

"It\'s a tough decision, but I want to start speaking professionally and thinking about the future of my family. As a coach, I also want to look for new challenges,” said Hendrawan.

"Without any detailed contract, the coach\'s tenure can be terminated at any time. But, we need to set targets, both in terms of career and for the family," he said.

However, if I could choose, I would like to continue training in Indonesia.

Termination of his contract due to internal problems also forced weightlifting coach Lukman to train in Malaysia (2014-2016) and then Thailand from 2018, after 14 years of training at the PB PABSI National Training Center. “The salary in Malaysia or Thailand is higher than in Indonesia. However, if I could choose, I would like to continue training in Indonesia. Apart from serving my own country, I would be closer to my family,” said Lukman about his family who live in Balikpapan.

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG (MYE)

This May 23, 2002 photo archive shows the men\'s singles Hendrawan and the General Chair of the Central KONI Wismoyo Arismunandar at the DKI Jakarta City Hall when celebrating Indonesia\'s success in winning the Thomas Cup. Hendrawan is now the coach of the Malaysian national badminton team.

In an interview with Kompas, Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali, said he had never judged a coach who had a career abroad as not being nationalist. In the example of badminton, it had even helped badminton competitions around the world to be more balanced and ensured that the sport still competed at the Olympics.

“I always give priority to Indonesia, but I also don\'t want to work without any trust. So, when I choose my family, don\'t say I\'m not nationalist," said Rexy. (DRI)

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).