Mia to miss Singapore, Indonesia Opens
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's former starlet Mia Audina will miss the 1999 Singapore Open and the Indonesian Open badminton championships due to her dual jurisdiction problem.
The secretary-general of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Leo Chandra Wiranata, said on Wednesday that Mia's entry to the annual tournament, which offers US$150,000 in prize money, was not accepted by the organizing committee or the International Badminton Federation (IBF).
"The IBF has stated that the Badminton Association of the Netherlands has registered her to compete in the Singapore Open, one week prior to the Indonesian Open, but she just resigned from PBSI on Aug. 7," he said.
"Based on IBF rules, a player can represent another country if he or she has resided there for three months. But if we count from Aug. 7, she fails to fulfill the requirement. IBF sent a fax on Tuesday saying that Mia's participation in the two events has not been accepted."
Mia sparked controversy when she said she wanted to move to Rotterdam to live with Surinamese husband Tylio Lobman, who also holds Dutch citizenship, but said she still wanted to represent Indonesia in the 2000 Olympics.
She trained in the Indonesia Badminton Center in Cipayung, Jakarta, until PBSI officially issued a letter confirming her resignation on Aug. 7.
Leo said Mia would not be able to compete in the 2000 Olympics because, according to IBF rules, Mia would be able to represent another country only after two years had lapsed since she last played for Indonesia.
"Her last appearance for Indonesia was in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok in December. She will be able to represent the Netherlands in a multi sports event in December 2000. She won't be able to qualify for the Olympics as the qualification period will end in April 2000," he said.
Twelve countries including Denmark, Malaysia, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand have confirmed their participation in the Indonesian Open from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5.
Denmark will field a full team comprising 1999 All England champion Peter Gade Christensen, 1996 Olympic gold medalist Poul- Erik Hoyer-Larsen and 1999 World Champion Camilla Martin. While Sweden and Malaysia will also field their best players.
Leo said China and South Korea would likely skip the tournament.
"I tried to contact the Badminton Association of China but the telephone operator said the official in charge was not available. While South Korea has yet to confirm their participation. The registration deadline was on Aug. 16," he said.
"However, if they or other countries register after the deadline, we'll still accept it."
Last year, the China's shuttlers canceled their participation in the event due to the political situation in the capital. PBSI has chosen Bali as an alternative venue for the five-star tournament, because Bali is known as the safest island in the country. The championships will take place in the Yuwana Mandala and the Ngurah Rai halls. (yan)