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.