Contract money not 'missing'

JAKARTA (JP): A team led by Agus Wirahadikusumah, deputy chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), has been set up to end confusion surrounding the whereabouts of US$250,000 from a contract with Japanese sports equipment manufacturer Yonex.

Agus said at the national badminton training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Thursday that the money was not missing, but payments to the players had been cut. He did not elaborate on reasons for this cut.

He blamed the row on the terms under which money from the contract is disbursed to players. The terms have been interpreted differently by the association's new board of executives and their predecessors.

"The former board used to pay the money three months after receiving it from Yonex, while we opt to distribute the money as soon as it has been paid," Agus said, as quoted by Antara.

Agus joined the board of executives after Subagyo Hadisiswoyo was elected chairman in place of Soerjadi in December last year.

The money in question is the first payment due on a sponsorship contract with Yonex, which came into effect in November last year.

Some players say they did not receive any money from the first installment and have only been paid from the second US$250,000 installment covering February to April 1998.

Agus said he planned to meet with the former association executives, Yonex representatives and the players to establish the facts.

"We want to clear this matter up before the Thomas and Uber Cups in May. Results of the probe will be announced by our chairman," Agus said. (lnt)