Mia claims PBSI announced too soon her planned 'expulsion'

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)