IBF questions PBSI over 'match fixing'

IBF questions PBSI over 'match fixing'

JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has
questioned the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) over
alleged match fixing in the women's doubles between Indonesian
players at the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open.

PBSI Secretary-General Leo Chandra Wiranata said on Tuesday
that a letter dated Aug. 4 was sent to PBSI after the Badminton
Association of England sent a complaint letter to IBF about the
suspected problem.

"England head coach Lars Sologub protested to the IBF about
the allegation of Indonesian players fixing the result of the
match as it disgraced sportsmanship," he said in a telephone
interview.

"They asked for an explanation as soon as possible but we'll
discuss it with officials in charge of athletes development."

Sologub complained during the tournament at the Senayan Indoor
Tennis Stadium last month. He suspected Indonesian women's
doubles Indarti Issoliana and Vita Marissa were forced to
intentionally loose to Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta,
Olympic Games qualifiers, in the quarterfinals.

Vita complained after the match that they had to bow out to
their teammates.

But PBSI official in charge of athletes development Mangombar
Ferdinand Siregar refuted the allegation.

"As far as I know, Indarti suffered an ankle injury before the
match began."

"I discussed the problem with training director Christian
Hadinata and Leo. Leo will officially answer IBF's questions," he
said.

Siregar said match fixing was conducted by European countries
prior to the deadline of the qualifying players on May 1.

"Christian was really upset about this. If they didn't fix the
matches, how could Europeans jump to the world top 16 and take
over Asian leads in the rankings."

Etty and Cynthia later lost to eventual winners Joanne Goode
and Donna Kellogg of England in the semifinals.

Leo said that should IBF prove the allegation and if PBSI was
blamed, the federation could punish either the association or the
players.

"The players can be banned for life or lose their points in
the IBF rankings while the association could have to pay a fine,"
he said. "People can protest anything." (yan)