Hariyanto's decision to quit Indonesia deplored

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)