Mia claims PBSI announced too soon her planned 'expulsion'

JAKARTA (JP): Mia Audina denied on Wednesday she was set to join husband Tylio Lobman in the Netherlands, the reason given by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) on Tuesday in announcing her expulsion from its program.

"I didn't make a final decision in yesterday's meeting. If I had made an official decision, I would have to provide a letter of resignation to the National Badminton Center," the country's top women's shuttler told reporters in her room at the center on Wednesday.

"I regret PBSI's announcement to the public because I asked the officials not to disclose the matter until we made a deal."

PBSI executive director Karsono announced on Tuesday that Mia, 19, would be expelled from the training center due to her request to move to Rotterdam with Lobman, who is Surinamese born but holds Dutch citizenship, but still play for Indonesia.

PBSI said the options were for Mia to remain in Indonesia and compete for the country, or for her to resign from the center and no longer play internationally for her homeland.

Karsono said Mia insisted on moving and opted for the second choice.

Mia denied she made a decision.

"It's impossible for me to make a decision in less than 24 hours. I must consider it clearly. PBSI's response was not as I expected," Mia said. "But I have promised PBSI chairman Pak Subagyo (Hadisiswoyo) that I will fight for Indonesia until the 2000 Olympics."

Mia's mother died on April 28 from a heart attack. Mia said she spent the following two months in Rotterdam, recovering emotionally from her grief. She also began to consider relocating from Jakarta.

"I spoke to Tylio about the possibility of moving to Rotterdam because I always remembered Mami and I found that living there was nicer. Besides, Tylio received a job offer which was twice as good as anything here.

"I think I can train with the Dutch national team if I reside there. But I will still fight for Indonesia."

She said she did not discuss her plan with the Badminton Association of the Netherlands.

"I went there for a vacation. I never had a chance to speak to officials or coaches. I was never able to join their training because I thought they were very busy with their own programs."

Mia acknowledged receiving an offer from the Netherlands to play on its team, but said it was not unusual.

"It's not only from the Netherlands. I've got so many offers."

A source in PBSI said Jaya Raya club chairman, Ciputra, offered a job to Lobman and an apartment in South Jakarta on the condition Mia lived in Jakarta and played for Indonesia until the 2000 Olympics.

"Who said that? Yes, I received an offer but it's my life. It's my privacy," Mia said.

She was pragmatic about the possibility of local badminton fans and officials accusing her of forsaking patriotism for personal interests.

"Life is full of pros and cons."

PBSI official in charge of athletes and development, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, said Mia's request could not be fulfilled.

"We have a code of ethics. If she trains in Rotterdam, who will coach and supervise her? It's difficult because she intends to live in the Netherlands after the Olympics. We can't forbid that, but it's the first case like this that we faced here."

International Badminton Federation rules say a player can represent a new country in a multisports event if he or she has resided in the country for one year. (yan)