Hariyanto, Rexy not allowed to leave: PBSI

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will not allow senior shuttlers to resign from the Indonesian Training Center because "the country still needs them".

PBSI executive director, Karsono, told reporters on Tuesday that men's singles veteran Hariyanto Arbi and men's doubles specialist Rexy Mainaky should not leave the center because they were still in top form.

"Both players are still in the world's top rankings. We must not let them go. They should be made to feel a part of the center," Karsono said.

Hariyanto, the 1993 world champion, has planned to move to Singapore, and Rexy has received an offer to coach England next month.

Both players expressed disappointment over some PBSI officials' unfair treatment toward them. The officials urged both veterans to leave the center as they had not shown any outstanding performances recently.

But Hariyanto, also known as Hari, had a reversal of fortune by winning the Singapore Open and Rexy had the same by winning the Indonesia Open with partner Ricky Subagja. The pair won the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Karsono said Hari had told Arisanto, an official of the Central Java branch of PBSI, that he had canceled his plan to move to Singapore.

"Hari has assured me that five Indonesian men's singles -- Hendrawan, Taufik Hidayat, Budi Santoso, Marlev Mainaky and Hari himself -- have a chance to bring home the Olympic gold medal," he said.

"I think Rexy still has a chance to retain his gold medal with Ricky. Indonesia still needs them."

Karsono expressed worry that both players' plan to move could inspire other athletes to use the training center only as a stepping stone to move to another country.

"If that happens in the future, we won't have top players anymore because they will have moved on to other countries."

Karsono said he would meet the secretary-general, officials in charge of athlete development and athletes to discuss and solve the problem.

Separately, the National Sports Council (KONI) chairman, Arie Sudewo, said he would meet PBSI officials to discuss the issue.

"I think PBSI athlete development officials must intensify their efforts to make shuttlers feel appreciated. It is regrettable if those players want to move, but that's their right." (yan)