Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo admits to being involved in a dispute with the men’s doubles coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi or Harry IP. What follows is an exclusive CNNIndonesia.com interview with Kevin about it.

The relationship between Kevin and Herry IP has started to heat up since the Indonesia Open 2022. After three months, Kevin admitted that the Indonesia Open 2022 was not the only cause of his problems with Herry IP.

Here is an exclusive CNNIndonesia interview with Kevin Sanjaya:

How did the story of the dispute with Herry IP begin?

Guess it’s time for me to speak as is, rather than being more and more digitized. In fact, at the beginning, it’s a long story. It must have been noisy at first because he said bad things to me at the Indonesia Open. But it’s actually a long story.

From the first time I walked into Cipayung National Training Center, I felt like it was neglected, belittled, etc. by him. I was never considered.

One of them was during the run to the 2016 Olympics, I didn’t get sent to the two European matches and the China Open. I [bersama Marcus Gideon] finishing not far from Angga/Ricky, only 1-2 different positions, but still in the top 15.

I was not sent because according to him, I was still far from the class. That’s the point. He always underestimates us. I am with Sinyo. Because we are small, we are underestimated.

At that time I did not practice the same KB Ar [Aryono Miranat] after the same mas Chafidz [Yusuf].

So what was your relationship with Herry IP when you won the All England 2017 and started dominating the World Tour?

That’s when he became our coach. As if he kept showing up. He had never seen us before.

The thing is, we won the All England for the first time, then he appeared. If I’m with him, as long as he doesn’t talk to the public at all, we’ll swallow him [perasaan]. We appreciate his bad stuff, as he comes to train three times a week.

Does that mean your relationship isn’t warm from the start?

He’s a head coach I respect, but there’s really no connection. We swallowed all the bad things about him. Why talk to the media?

There is a long-buried sense of disappointment. Is it because of the run to the Olympics?

Even before the race for the Olympics, I was belittled as if I was not considered. Then the worst was in the run up to the Olympics. Like we were considered a level way below Angga/Ricky.

Was it because of the Marcus postman who had had a dispute with Herry IP before?

I do not think so. KB Herry likes to be stoned, has great energy, so yeah, we’re not considered. Also, Sinyo and I were small.

Until then, in the Indian Open final, my first Super Series 2016 final, I was almost told to give in to Koh Herry, but we didn’t want to.

We were told to give in, to give it to Angga/Ricky, but we didn’t want to. At that time, those who accompanied Koh Ar, Sinyo and me too Angga/Ricky had time to meet, Angga/Ricky also said to just play [main serius]Sinyo and I don’t want either [mengalah]. Koh Ar is good too [untuk main]. But Koh Herry had called to relent.

Didn’t that relationship heat up when you won the BWF World Tour in 2017-2019 and often get compliments from Herry IP?

Relationships tend to be informal, the cat always talking, but there is no closeness. When he appeared talking about the best partner and so on, I just laughed. What do you mean?

The important thing is that there is nothing to snoop around [membuat masalah], yes it’s up to him. We don’t want to cause any trouble either.

After a cold but still professional relationship, does this mean that the relationship stretches again at Indonesia Open 2022?

Yes. As an internal person, you must speak to us directly. He did not solve the problem at all, but instead spoke to the media. As an insider and coach or being called a parent, I don’t think it is. Inappropriate.

As soon as we started to descend he was screaming as if he was misrepresenting the stage.

Kevin Sanjaya took on Herry IP. (CNN Indonesia/Putra Permata Tegar Idaman)

Did you speak to Koh Herry immediately after this time?

No. Because he didn’t feel bad about what he was talking about at all. So what to say. We didn’t say anything.

He said he told me and so on, [sebenarnya] nothing to say to me and Sinyo [Marcus Gideon]. There is no such thing as being told, everything is a lie.

Does that mean that when Koh Herry said he advised you, in fact, there were no such discussions?

There are no such discussions. He was supposed to be a trainer he was educating. For example, he called me and Sinyo. Ask what view of me, from what Sinyo. No way.

The coach should help solve our problems, but rather only talk to the media. Maybe I wasn’t patient either, I ended up getting annoyed.

So far we’ve swallowed all the bad stuff.

The point is if KB Herry internally scolds me, I have no problem. I certainly wouldn’t be mad if he spoke to me directly.

What really happened at the Indonesia Open from your point of view?

Of course we were tired. We were desperate for the Indonesia Masters. During the Indonesia Open, I felt very heavy. I don’t feel strong enough to push myself. Instead of me being hurt or sick. Nor can we maximize both. So be more realistic.

After this problem, do you still come to Cipayung?

Not at first, because the kids all went to Malaysia and Singapore. After the kids got home, Sinyo and I practiced with Kak On [Rionny Mainaky]. We trained at a different time from the others.

Didn’t you and Koh Herry speak at that time?

Not.

Continued on second page >>>