Hariyanto's decision to quit Indonesia deplored

JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) deplored the decision taken by national badminton player Hariyanto Arbi to switch allegiance from Indonesia to Singapore after he finishes competing in the five-day Indonesia Open in Bali starting on Wednesday.

KONI deputy chairman Arie Sudewo told reporters on Monday that KONI would, however, respect Hariyanto's decision regarding his future.

"We regret his decision. We will miss one of the country's top players, but we can not restrain him for exercising his personal rights. If his decision was considered, we can do nothing to stop him. I think we still have many badminton players," he said.

He said that the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) should give more attention to their athletes, particularly on their future.

The 27-year-old had just won the Singapore Open singles final on Sunday by defeating Indonesia's young hope Taufik Hidayat, but his decision to quit his country for Singapore was the main talk prior to the final.

Hariyanto, the two-time All-England champion and 1996 Olympic semifinalist, argued that he had limited opportunities back home, particularly for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

He cited his poor performances during the Sudirman Cup and World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark last May. In the latter tournament, he lost to Denmark's Peter Gade-Christensen in the second round.

"I felt disoriented, and I began thinking of what I wanted to pursue in the near future. My performances had dropped. The world badminton players nowadays are very good," he was quoted by Kompas daily as saying on Sunday.

Hariyanto, who is ranked number 30 in the world, repeatedly said that his success in the Singapore Open was merely "incidental".

"PBSI said that all the players groomed in the training center had equal chances for the Olympics, but in fact, only three players who are considered qualified do. The others have to undergo a selection. I try to follow this rule, but deep down in my heart, I can't accept it," he said.

The daily quoted the PBSI official in charge of the training center, Christian Hadinata, as saying that three players, Budi Santoso, Hendrawan and Taufik Hidayat, had qualified for the Olympics because of their world rank, which were all in the top ten.

Hari also expressed disappointment, saying that he felt he was disregarded by PBSI. "I was waiting for the time when I would be expelled from the training center. I thought I better withdraw now before I receive the decision," he told the daily. (ivy)