I’m Not Sad To Leave Cipayung National Training

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Indonesian badminton mixed doubles coach, Richard Mainaky decided to retire from the PBSI Cipayung National Training Center. The official resignation letter was delivered today, Monday (6/9).

Richard said his 26 years of service for Indonesian badminton was enough. Now, he says he will spend a lot of time with his family in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Throughout his career as a mixed doubles national coach, he has presented two Olympic silver medals through Trikusharjanto/Minarti Timur in Sydney 2000, Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir in Beijing 2008 and one gold at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics through the pair Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir.

Not only that, Richard Mainaky’s cool hands also managed to donate four badminton world titles for Indonesia from mixed doubles. They are Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir 2005 and 2007 and through Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir 2013 and 2017.

Richard was also able to score a prestigious All England title through his fostered athletes, namely Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir (2012, 2013 and 2014), Praveen Jordan/Debby Susanto (2016) and Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti (2020).

How did Richard Mainaky feel when he decided to retire? What will the 56-year-old coach do after retiring?

Here’s an exclusive CNNIndonesia.com interview with Richard Mainaky:

What are your reasons for deciding to retire from PBSI at this time?

Last week I verbally told Rionny Mainaky (Head of Binpres PP PBSI) and Pak Alex Tirta (Head of Daily PP PBSI). All is well and smooth. I have sent an official letter today.

I guess, I’ve had enough well. The intention to retire was originally after the 2020 Olympics yesterday. But it was delayed due to the pandemic. So the Olympics were also postponed to 2021 and I was delayed until today.

Is it difficult for you to decide to retire from PBSI?

I don’t find it hard to decide to retire, because I already have a mature plan. For 26 years there is very little time for family, it’s automatic because I am responsible for my work. At 6 am I arrived at Cipayung, 7 am at the latest and I came home at 7 pm. Now the family wants to move to the village, so this time I have to give in.

I have served PBSI and sacrificed time for my family, now is the time for me to choose time for my family.

Is there a feeling of sadness leaving Cipayung?

Not sad because I have already prepared the next coach. There are Nova Widianto, Amon Sunaryo, Muhammad Rijal, they are my former subordinates. So I’m sure I’m not sad because they already know my training patterns.

I have done my best for PBSI so I am proud that from 1995 to 2021 I have won many championship medals. Unless you have given me anything, I will be sad and disappointed. I am satisfied and proud to have given my best for PBSI.

What are the most beautiful memories during your time at PBSI?

First, these athletes have great respect for me. Very obedient and respectful to me. Second, finally by working as a coach at PBSI, I am very proud to be able to provide many achievements. Scored 2 silver medals and one gold medal at the Olympics, 4 times world champion and 5 All England titles.

Are there any bad memories you experienced while at PBSI?

Time at the 2000 Sydney Olympics because the gold in your hand should always be silver. 2008 Beijing Olympics too. In fact, it should have made the All Indonesian final, the chances are big, but they won silver again. So I should have won three Olympic gold. But unlucky and I had felt like a failure.

Who is the most impressive badminton player for you?

Every regeneration, the players are different and all are memorable because they are very obedient, automatically when we talk about achievements there will always be winners. I invite all the players to discuss so that they can have a close relationship. But the material for discussion is also picky.

Usually with senior players like Trikus, Minarti, Vita Marissa, Butet (Liliyana Natsir), Owi (Tontowi Ahmad), Nova (Widianto), Debby (Susanto) and Praveen (Jordan) we talk about life after badminton. They are already seniors, already thinking about other things outside of badminton.

When it comes to young ones, juniors like Melati, the conversation is still about how she is still young and has to get a lot of achievements first. We help because they also don’t meet their parents, so we as coaches must also be responsible for replacing the role of their parents.

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