Former PBSI official concerned over dispute
Former PBSI official concerned over dispute
BANDUNG (JP): The conflict between the country's top shuttlers and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) is a long- running dispute that is becoming more serious, according to an official.
Toto Hanafiah, a former national player and PBSI official told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the cause of the conflict was the unpaid sponsorship deal and prize money and the details of new contracts with sponsors.
"What's so serious is that the conflict has emerged at a time when the shuttlers are performing well. The 50 shuttlers boycotting the New Year's party last week demonstrated the shuttlers' disappointment to PBSI," Toto said.
Earlier Wednesday, a reliable source who requested anonymity said that the shuttlers urged the association to disclose the whereabouts of unpaid sponsorship and prize money and the details of the new contracts with sponsors.
The shuttlers particularly wanted information over the deal with Yonex, a Japanese sports equipment.
"It's not merely money, there have been many problems among players, coaches and officials. It's also about our participation in tournaments and about our rights," the source said.
The 50 players who have yet to receive their August-to-October allowances from Yonex include women shuttlers Susi Susanti, Mia Audina, Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Cindana, and Joko Supriyanto, Antonious, Denny Kantono, Ricky A. Subagdja, Rexy Mainaky, Jeffer Rosobin, Budi Santoso, Indra Wijaya and Chandra Wijaya from the men's squad.
Toto said there was a possibility the conflict emerged because PBSI officials allowed their personal interests to override the national development of the sport.
"I don't want to mention the names of the officials but I really pity pak Soerjadi (the PBSI chairman) as he has become the target of the conflict. Soerjadi is a good person and left his military career for the sake of PBSI development," Toto said.
Transparent
Toto was of the opinion that PBSI should be transparent in its activities. He gave an example on the sending of shuttlers to international tournaments.
"Isn't it ridiculous that PBSI sends shuttlers not listed in the draw to international events? Moreover, it also sends officials who are not directly involved either," Toto said.
The former PBSI official said that the conflicts were at odds with the association's intention of collecting funds and constructing training centers for the players. "I have observed that PBSI is now under the control of officials who think more of their personal interests rather than improving the organization.
"It is a great pity that Soerjadi only receives good reports from his officials without knowing the bad parts."
In order to resolve the conflict within PBSI, Toto suggested at the next PBSI annual meeting in December the association should enact rules prohibiting officials from the regions sitting on the central board. "I believe the source of the conflict came from here. Let the officials from the central board handle the association's daily affairs without interference from outsiders."
Toto said that 1997 would be a crucial year for badminton because there is still much development needed. One of the long- term goals, Toto said, would be the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
"We don't have any replacements yet for top shuttlers such as Joko Suprijanto, Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusumah who will certainly hang up their rackets soon. China, for example, has conducted a regeneration program of its seniors with new players already showing good performances," Toto said. (ahy)