PBSI apologizes over Taufik scuffle

PBSI apologizes over Taufik scuffle

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) apologized on
Friday for a bad-tempered scuffle involving the country's top
player Taufik Hidayat, but the world number three looks set to
escape any disciplinary action.

PBSI outgoing chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo told reporters
before the opening ceremony of the organization's congress at
Hotel Indonesia, Central Jakarta that Taufik failed to show the
mental discipline and composure, which the world's best sportsmen
and women should possess.

"On behalf of PBSI, I would like to extend my apologies to
badminton supporters and the public alike over the incident. As a
world class player, Taufik should have just ignored those who
insulted him," Subagyo said.

"Taufik should have exercised restraint because being a
champion is not just a matter of skill but also attitude and
behavior."

Representing West Java, since quitting the Indonesian
Badminton Center (PBI), Taufik hit a spectator, Elen Surya, whom
he accused of insulting him during his match against Edi Santoso
in the 2001 National Championships at Bung Karno Badminton
Stadium on Thursday.

Elen has planned to file a lawsuit against Taufik.

Subagyo said he understood the move, but suggested that an
out-of-court settlement would be more favorable.

"It is his (Elen's) right to take legal action but I think we
should be able to solve the problem in a family spirit," said
Subagyo.

But, when asked about possible sanctions to be imposed on
Taufik, Subagyo said he would leave it to the new chairman.

A referee said after the incident on Thursday that PBSI had no
regulation on punitive measures against a player who is involved
in a physical clash with spectators. The International Badminton
Federation (IBF) suspended an English player for eight months in
the early 1990s after his racquet, which he had thrown on court,
rebounded and hit a photographer.

Chairman of PBSI's West Java chapter Lutfi Hamid also
expressed regret and extended his apologies to the Indonesian
badminton community.

"I have reprimanded Taufik upon receiving the report that he
hit a spectator. I also hope we can settle this off the court,"
he told reporters.

"But if Elen insists in taking it to court, the West Java
chapter will provide legal assistance for Taufik," he added.

While admitting Taufik was unpredictable and temperamental,
Lutfi expressed his disbelief at the incident.

"Usually, wherever he goes, the public always like and respect
him. But this time around, it was different. I don't know whether
it was a spontaneous incident or engineered by the spectators."

"But a world class player should have been able to defy any
insult made during a match," he added.

Taufik did not take the incident seriously as he reached the
semifinals after defeating his junior Ardiansyah 7-5, 7-2, 7-1 on
Friday.

Top seed Taufik will face second stringer Rony Agustinus in
Saturday's semifinals. Rony, another product of the country's
badminton center, defeated his junior teammate Markis Kido 7-3,
7-1, 7-1.

The other semifinal will pit junior shuttler Anggun Nugroho
against Mega Berlian of Jakarta.

In the women's singles, top seed Atu Rosalina cruised to the
semifinals easily with a 7-3, 7-3, 7-4 win over Siti Imronah of
East Java.

Atu will face training mate Silvi Antarini, who defeated
veteran player Cindana Hartono 7-1, 7-2, 7-4.

Second seed Yuli Marfuah of West Java will face another PBI
hopeful Dian Novita for the other final berth.