PBSI bans Taufik from two world badminton events

PBSI bans Taufik from two world badminton events

JAKARTA (JP): World number one men's singles shuttler Taufik
Hidayat has had to bury his dream of winning the 2000 Grand Prix
Final in February next year after the Badminton Association of
Indonesia (PBSI) banned him from two international events.

The ban was supposed to be "educative punishment" for the 19-
year-old shuttler after he criticized association officials in a
series of verbal attacks, especially chairman Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo.

"PBSI will not send Taufik to compete in the Korean Open or
the 2000 Grand Prix Final as educative punishment for him,"
Subagyo told reporters on Wednesday at the Indonesian Badminton
Center (PBI) in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"The punishment is necessary because of his allegations which
have tarnished the association's image. It can also be regarded
as a warning to other shuttlers."

Taufik is the top seed in the Grand Prix Final in February and
he was hoping to compete in the Korean Open in Seoul from Jan. 9
to Jan. 14.

The letter stating the decision was signed on Monday and
handed out to Taufik on Wednesday morning.

"I can't give any comments now. I have to reflect on my
actions. I want to review which of my comments are right and
wrong. I will also overview which statements from PBSI officials
are right and wrong. I'll explain next week," said Taufik.

After winning the Asian Badminton Championships early this
month, Taufik called on Subagyo to step down from his post as
chairman. He also criticized other inactive officials and the
late payment of sponsorship contract money and tournament prize
money to players.

Taufik coach, Mulyo Handoyo, declined to give comments, saying
he wanted to avoid any further commotion.

"I have to talk to him more intensively about the punishment.
But if it was up to me, I would ban him from hanging out late at
nights because it will be much more difficult for him and it's
more educative," he said.

"PBSI officials didn't ask my opinion before punishing
Taufik."

Taufik was charged on PBSI Statutes Chapter II Article 5 which
states that "a player can be punished if he was considered of
disgracing PBSI or fails to follow the rules as stated in the
Statutes or other regulations."

However, PBSI still allows Taufik to stay in the training
center until Dec. 16 when all shuttlers and coaches are to be
returned to their clubs of origin.

"We don't have any intention to terminate his career. In fact,
I expect him to achieve good results in the All England event,"
said Subagyo. "On the other hand, PBSI officials must also be
introspective about their weaknesses."

Still needed

Later on, PBSI secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata said the
association still needed Taufik in the national squad.

"If we also ban him in All England then who will we call? We
don't have any other players to replace him," he said.

"But his statements have misled the public and tarnished
PBSI's image. That's why we are punishing him by banning him from
taking part in two international events."

Leo pointed to Taufik's statements on Subagyo's background as
a retired four-star general and the way PBSI handles the
shuttlers' financial rights of a contract with sports equipment
manufacturer Yonex and the prize money from various events.

"We told him as well as other shuttlers that normally PBSI
needs one or two months to settle all the paperwork before we can
pay them in cash."

"At least, let's think positively. This case has awoken all
coaches, officials and shuttlers to improve our performance."

At the same time, Subagyo also installed head coach and
training director Christian Hadinata to become the training
center director. His job does not only include training programs
but also taking care of the daily problems of the center.

"The director will be responsible for all day-to-day matters
in the center. He will be the superior of all coaches and
shuttlers." he said. "This appointment is important to coordinate
all the coaches and provide a clear communication channel."

Currently, there are 13 coaches in the training center but
PBSI has planned to reshuffle the coaches and review their
number. (nvn)