Mia to miss Singapore, Indonesia Opens

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)