INDONESIA – Selamat datang Li Mao!

Li Mao was officially presented to the national team of Indonesia today in Cipayung, Jakarta and will take over his charges as head coach for men’s singles.

By Raphael Sachetat.  Photo: Badmintonphoto

The renowned Chinese coach had been said to be preparing to visit Indonesia and had acknowledged his departure from Korea a few weeks ago, but his appearance in the heart of the Indonesian national association (PBSI) and meeting with the players made it official. According to a local source, Li Mao will take over very shortly and is about to sign a two-year contract with PBSI.

Christian Hadinata will be in charge of the men’s doubles – a position that he has occupied in the past, helped by Hendra Mulyana and Bambang Supriyanto. He will have to do with new names as Devin Lahardi – a mixed doubles player as well – but also Yonathan Dasuki and Rian Sukmawan resigned from PBSI a few weeks ago, while top pair of Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido are also independent players.

A lot of changes have already occurred (amongst which the departure of Lius Pongoh, Performance Director ,yet to be replaced) in the Indonesian badminton landscape with also some key players leaving the boat – Maria Kristin Yulianti was one of the latest names to have been erased from the program as she left for personal reasons as well as Sigit Pamungkas, the men’s doubles coach who followed Kido and Setiawan.

Li Mao will be asked for his priorities and a list of players to be put in the squad – or left out – should be made known around January 16^th when the start of new recruits will kick off. The former coach for Korea will stay with the players in Cipayung.