Contract money not 'missing'

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)