Chairul's PBSI post may end July 17
Chairul's PBSI post may end July 17
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta
Chairul Tanjung's rein at the helm of the country's badminton
governing body, the PBSI, looks set to come to an abrupt end next
month now that an extraordinary meeting has been scheduled for
July 17.
A working group representing restless provincial chapters had
previously hoped the meeting would be held on June 28.
However, it now appears that it will convene two weeks later
with Chairul saying that they needed more time to make
arrangements.
"We (the PBSI's central board) need additional time to arrange
this meeting as we expect that more provincial chapters will
attend it," Chairul told reporters after a meeting with the
working group.
The group, headed by Koesdarto Pramono from the Yogyakarta
chapter, has been working on calls from up to 25 chapters for
Chairul to quit on the ground that he has failed to pursue the
sport's development.
Chairul took over the chairmanship in 2001 after Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo. His term is due to expire in 2005.
Talk of his ouster has been rife since Indonesia failed to
retain the Thomas Cup here last month.
Saying that he does not want to cause a rift in the
organization, Chairul appears amenable to the demand.
"We hope that there will not be any differences within the
(provincial) chapters so the succession process can proceed
smoothly without any disruptions," he added.
Jakarta chapter head Icuk Sugiarto said there was no conflict
over Chairul's planned resignation as both sides (the provincial
chapters and the central board) had came to a mutual
understanding.
Former world champion Icuk said that the working group had
formerly listed three candidates, but one had decided to
withdraw.
"We have two. One of them has gained support from most of the
chapters," Icuk said but he declined to name the two candidates.
Koesdarto said that the working group would evaluate the
eligibility of each of the candidates.
The change in chairman, if it proceeds, would come at an
awkward time now that the PBSI is preparing for the Olympic Games
in Athens, where badminton will be Indonesia's best medal hope.