“All of them are taking a gamble …” — Ronald Susilo (Part 4)

After announcing his retirement from professional badminton in March 2010, local badminton star Ronald Susilo progressed on to the next stage of his life — the opening of his own training school, the Ronald Susilo Badminton Academy.

Aside from heading an academy of his own, Ronald is also one of the coaches of the Singapore national badminton team. He also coaches the Meridian Junior College badminton team.

Red Sports recently caught up with Ronald to find out more about his new academy and his views on Singapore badminton. Here is part four of the interview.

Red Sports: Are the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) still scouting for foreign players?
Ronald Susilo: Their scouting are more restricted. I am not too sure about this, but I heard the government wants the players to go through the school system first. They want the players to study and play the sport at the same time. Then, only after their O levels, would they be scouted as national players. That is why there are more foreign players in the school scene.

The government is concerned with what they are going to do without a proper education after their playing careers.

I am not too sure about other sports, but this is what I heard about badminton.

But it is a bit too late if players start training at that age, I would say. Players have to start training younger. To become a professional badminton player, it will take more than 10 years. Myself, I started from the age of seven and I do regret a bit. If I didn’t study at all, I could have become a better player.

Red Sports: You were a student of a sports school in Indonesia. How does Singapore’s sports school compare to Indonesia’s?
Ronald Susilo: The facilities here are definitely better in Singapore! Everything is taken care of — nutrition, accommodation and the like.

The difference comes from the athlete themselves and the lifestyle between the two countries. In Indonesia, training is our main focus and we just study a bit. The school is located in a very ‘ulu’ place and we don’t have transport. For those in Indonesia and China, they come from poor families so they are more motivated to train and make it big. If they make it, then they will get a good life. All of them are taking a gamble and everyone wants to make it so the competition is stronger.

Over here, transportation is so easy and everyone has a car. Everything is provided for already and they lead very comfortable lives.

Red Sports: So now that you have your own academy, how are you going overcome this?
Ronald Susilo: Educating parents is the most important thing. First, we have to find out the direction they want for their kids when they join the academy. We have to share our experience with them as well as the kids and help them realise that sports is actually a good career path. Education is important, but it is not the only way to go and in the end they will have to either choose sports or education.

If they are really serious about it, then we can make a good program. Of course, those who just want to participate in the sport will have a different program.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of everyone to raise the level of badminton and not just the government. Everyone who loves badminton have to do their part.

Red Sports: How has life been for yourself since retirement from professional badminton?
Ronald Susilo: I’ve been really busy! I coach at three places now and everyday I am coaching. My life still revolves around badminton. Being a coach is not easy and can be stressful. Even at school level, it can be a headache.

Being a player is more enjoyable. A player just has to worry about training and tournaments and even at tournaments, players also enjoy.

But although it is tiring, badminton has always been my passion. As long as I can bring the level of badminton up, I don’t mind coaching and running here and there.

Part 1: “It has always been my dream to set up an academy …” — Ronald Susilo
Part 2: “You have to make a sacrifice between studies and playing badminton …” — Ronald Susilo
Part 3: “We have to fork out money ourselves …” — Ronald Susilo