PBSI chief Sutiyoso gets shot at ABC presidency

PBSI chief Sutiyoso gets shot at ABC presidency

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), Sutiyoso, looks likely to move up in the badminton hierarchy with his being the only candidate for the Asian presidency.

On Thursday, the Jakarta governor disclosed he had been nominated for the top position in the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC).

"I have been nominated by member countries to lead the ABC," Sutiyoso said. "It's good (for our badminton)," he added.

G. Sulistyanto, the PBSI chief in charge of overseas relations, said that as many as 42 ABC member countries were behind Sutiyoso.

The post became vacant after Kang Young-joong of South Korea was elected to the International Badminton Federation (IBF) presidency in Beijing earlier this month.

The ABC election will be held in Jakarta on July 17.

"This is the first time that an Indonesian has been nominated as the sole candidate to chair the ABC," said Sulistyanto, who is the vice president of the ABC.

As there are no other candidates, it is most likely that Sutiyoso will land the ABC top job. According to Sulistyanto, this will help contribute to Indonesia's badminton development program.

July's convention will coincide with the Asian junior badminton championship, which is scheduled for July 11-17.

Nostalgic exhibition games have also been arranged for July 16, which are expected to be attended by past badminton stars such as Morten Frost Hansen of Denmark, Han Jian and Yang Yang of China, Misbun Sidek, Razif Sidek, and Jaelani Sidek of Malaysia, Prakash Padukone of India and local heroes Icuk Sugiarto, Rudi Hartono, and Tan Joe Hok.