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)