Netherlands-bound Mia gets boot from badminton body

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will expel its top women's shuttler Mia Audina from its training program after she requested permission to reside in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband Tylio Lobman.

PBSI executive director Karsono said on Tuesday the decision was made on Monday morning in a meeting of chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, the PBSI official in charge of athletes development, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, head coach Christian Hadinata, vice secretary-general Tanri Bali and himself.

"Mia requested that she be allowed to move to the Netherlands but keep playing for Indonesia. But Pak Subagyo declined the request and ordered me to speak to Mia," Karsono said.

"I talked to her this afternoon at about 4 p.m. and I conveyed PBSI's decision, but she insisted she would move to the Netherlands. I also explained to her that she would be expelled from the National Training Center if she insisted on doing so. She can't play for Indonesia if she lives in the Netherlands."

He ruled out the possibility of a change in the decision.

"It's just a matter of paperwork. PBSI is waiting for Mia's letter saying she wants to move to the Netherlands, and then we will issue a letter on her expulsion. The decision is final.

"We also will send a letter to the International Badminton Federation and official sponsor Yonex on the matter."

Earlier Tuesday, Mia, 19, declined to give a definitive answer on whether she would join Tylio, who was born in Suriname but holds Dutch citizenship, in the Netherlands.

"Tylio has business with some friends there and it will be hard for him to find a job here due to the uncertain circumstances.

"Tylio has always supported me in my effort to qualify for the Olympic Games next year in Sydney. I really want to compete in the Olympics," said the 1996 Olympic silver medalist.

Former coach Retno Kustiyah regretted Mia's decision and feared it would destroy her chances of competing in the Olympics.

"If she was expelled from PBSI now, she might not be able to play in the Olympics. An IBF regulation says she can play for another country if she has lived there for about two years.

"I think she never thought that Pak Subagyo would make such a decision. I thought she planned to move to the Netherlands after the Olympics," she said.

Retno said it was a pity Mia's career was in jeopardy when she should be in the prime of her career.

"It's too bad if she must withdraw from badminton because she will be at the golden age of 20 years next month. She's talented and smart. She's a good asset for the country. She still has a long, good future. It's too bad."

Coach Liang Chiusia claimed to have no idea of Mia's future plans.

Mia took a two-month leave from the training center to stay with her husband's family in Rotterdam. Although she claimed to have continued training during her time in the Netherlands, she admitted to gaining a considerable amount of weight.

A PBSI source said Mia sold her 1995 Toyota Corolla and would sell her land in Bekasi as she prepared to move. Mia's mother died earlier this year and she is estranged from her father. (yan)