Sigit's dope hearing set for mid November<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has
\nset a hearing in Singapore in two weeks for Indonesian world
\ndoubles champion Sigit Budiarto regarding his positive dope tests
\nfor the anabolic steroid nandrolone.<\/p>\n
Deputy chief of the federation Justian Suhandinata said the
\nhearing, on a date still to be determined, meant that a test of
\nSigit's "B" urine sample on Oct. 22 confirmed the earlier
\npositive result of the "A" sample.<\/p>\n
"A panel of IBF members will grill Sigit about how he could
\nhave consumed the banned substance," Justian, who is also an
\nexecutive with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI),
\nwas quoted by Antara news agency as saying on Monday.<\/p>\n
The IBF announced on Oct. 20 that Sigit failed the first dope
\ntest administered during July's Singapore Open, which he won with
\nCandra Wijaya. The world badminton governing body admitted such a
\npublic statement but said it was necessary due to fears the
\ninformation had become known outside the IBF and PBSI.<\/p>\n
Sigit told PBSI that he took the antiallergenic medication
\nClaritin on the eve of the tournament, but did not declare that
\nhe also consumed herbal medicine to gain weight.<\/p>\n
The IBF chose Singapore as the place for the hearing because
\nthe dope test was taken in the island state, according to
\nJustian.<\/p>\n
Justian said the IBF team would consist of Jeff Robson, Punch
\nGunalan and Dr. Myalaysin. Justian himself, PBSI deputy chief
\nAgus Wirahadikusumah, director of athlete development Mangombar
\nFerdinand Siregar and official PBSI doctor Michael Triangto will
\naccompany Sigit during the hearing.<\/p>\n
Representatives of the Singapore Open organizing committee
\nwill also attend as witnesses.<\/p>\n
Justian said Sigit faced a maximum two-year ban from
\ncompetition for using the illegal drug, but the punishment would
\nbe lighter if he proved he consumed the substance
\nunintentionally.<\/p>\n
"We will also insist that the IBF hand down a lighter penalty
\nfor a procedural violation it committed," Justian said, referring
\nto the announcement of the "A" sample result before the second
\nwas tested.<\/p>\n
He was confident the ban would not exceed 12 months and that
\nSigit would be eligible to compete in the 2000 Olympics in
\nSydney.<\/p>\n
"I will personally lobby IBF executives to decide on a ban
\nthat will not affect Sigit's hopes of playing in the Olympics,"
\nJustian said.<\/p>\n
Regardless of its length, a ban would cost Sigit his Singapore
\nOpen title plus his share of the prize money and the Olympic
\nscholarship he won last month.<\/p>\n
Justian also criticized PBSI for lacking the initiative to
\nprotest the IBF violation.<\/p>\n
Asian Games<\/p>\n
Separately, Agus confirmed that former world men's singles
\nchampion Hariyanto Arbi would miss the Asian Games in December
\ndue to a nagging back problem which flared up again in the just-
\nconcluded Indonesia Open.<\/p>\n
"Hari is definitely unfit for the Asiad. We are looking for
\nthe best replacement, possibly Marlev Mainaky," Agus said in
\nBandung.<\/p>\n
Hariyanto withdrew before his quarterfinal match against
\neventual champion Yong Hock Kin of Malaysia after reinjuring his
\nback during a morning practice.<\/p>\n
Agus said it would take Hariyanto time to heal. Once he
\nrecovers, he may not be able to prepare for the Asiad, he added.<\/p>\n
The Asian Games organizing committee has a Nov. 6 deadline for
\nentries.<\/p>\n
Hariyanto's departure is another setback for an already
\nweakened squad. Indonesia has set its sights on winning at least
\ntwo gold medals at the quadrennial event. (43\/amd)<\/p>",
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