KONI regrets Mia's plan, support PBSI's decision

JAKARTA (JP): National Sports Council (KONI) vice chairman Arie Sudewo has expressed regret over Mia's plan to follow husband Tylio Lobman's move to Rotterdam and supported a Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) decision to expel her if she makes the move.

"She's our backbone and I regret her decision. But I threw my weight behind the PBSI decision to expel her. If Mia moves to the Netherlands, who will supervise her training programs? Who will be responsible for her? If she is being coached here, we have her day-to-day progress report," Arie said on Thursday.

Mia recently announced plans to reside in Rotterdam but continue playing for Indonesia until the Sydney 2000 Olympics. She said her husband had obtained a better job there and she wanted to erase the pain surrounding the death of her mother, Lanny Susilawati, who passed away in April.

PBSI's comeback was to offer Mia two options: first, stay in Indonesia and play for the country at the Olympics or second, resign from the National Badminton Center.

Mia, who will turn 20 on Aug. 22, denied she had made the decision to move to the Netherlands, but said she might train with the Netherlands national team. She said formal discussions with the team's coach were yet to take place.

An offer was earlier made by Jaya Raya club chairman Ciputra, who offered an apartment in South Jakarta and a job for Tylio on the condition that Mia played for Indonesia until the Olympics.

"KONI supported the PBSI decision because we believe that the decision was not made overnight. It had to be discussed among top officials. I also believe PBSI officials asked Mia to reconsider her plans. If she has made a decision, then that's her right, her privacy. She's a married woman and I consider her an adult," Arie said.

"Just give her time to reconsider her plan and decide her next move in relation to the PBSI options."

Arie said KONI was not overly concerned if Mia left the country.

"Why should we worry about her plans. We have a lot of young talent in the country. PBSI only has to take the right talent and develop them to become the country's future hopes."

Arie said Mia's performances had not been the best lately, but that she was ready to regain form.

With Mia currently ranked 18th in the world, her recent weight gains might preclude her from reaching the top three positions.

The 1996 Olympic silver medalist plans to compete in the Singapore Open next month and the Indonesia Open in September to meet qualifying requirements for the Olympics. (yan)