IBF sets recommendation on shuttler transfers
IBF sets recommendation on shuttler transfers
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The executive council of the International Badminton Federation
(IBF) finally issued a recommendation over shuttler transfers to
other countries on Friday as a response to Indonesia's proposal.
"The recommendation may include the revision of existing rules
on shuttler transfers and set a new precedent. It will be done at
IBF's next meeting in Guangzhou, China in May," chairman of the
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Chairul Tanjung was
quoted as saying by Antara from Melbourne, Australia.
"The recommendation stipulates that a shuttler must have the
nationality of the country he or she represents for team events,
such as Thomas and Uber Cups, and multisports events such as the
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games," he said.
Chairul also said the recommendation stated that nationality
had to be acquired through legal naturalization instead of
special treatment or any other privileges.
"Shuttler movements will become inevitable in the future as
badminton turns into a fully professional sport. This calls for
clear terms and conditions involving both clubs," he said.
"The agreement between both clubs also must be approved by
both Badminton Associations (BA)."
Indonesia's proposal for better regulations on shuttler
transfer was incited by Taufik Hidayat's signing of a contract
with the BA of Singapore without the consent of his former club,
Bandung-based SGS, or the PBSI.
PBSI has invited SBA officials to discuss the matter
especially on Taufik's transfer fee, which could jump to some
US$40,000, but the invitation had not yet gotten a response from
SBA officials.
Taufik has been prevented from taking part in the All England
tournament and the Swiss Open pending his status.
Seven Indonesian-born shuttlers successfully transferred to
Singapore before Taufik signed his ill-fated contract.
Earlier, China also proposed similar regulations to tackle the
transfer issues but got no attention from the IBF.