PBSI, coaches row is over, says Chairul

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

The row over payments emanating from the Yonex contract, which has involved the national badminton authority PBSI and coaches, is over, according to PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung.

"There's no ill-feeling on my part, no ill-will toward certain people. That's unlike me. I declare the problem over," Chairul said, as quoted by Antara after a closed meeting with the coaches at the Cipayung Training Center here on Saturday.

The national coaches had queried what was their due from the contract with badminton apparel maker Yonex, worth US$75,000 per annum.

Their demand led to a boycott of a simulation match in Batam recently, where national players were shaping up ahead of the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cups.

However, head of the coaching board Joko Supriyanto denied later that a dispute over money had caused them to revolt.

On Saturday, Chairul said that the matter had already been resolved.

"During the term of Pak Bagyo (Subagyo HS), it was decided that the contract money would be disbursed in their monthly salaries," Chairul said, adding that the coaches apologized for their lack of awareness of the scheme.

Coach Hery Iman Pierngadi said he reaffirmed the truce between PBSI and the coaches, saying that both sides had come to a mutual understanding.

"We've reached a solution -- there are no more problems. Questions on contract money have already been answered: Pak Chairul has explained it all to us," Hery said.

The coaches' revolt might be seen as untimely as Indonesia is currently preparing for the Thomas and Uber Cups in Jakarta in May.

"Pak Chairul has appealed that we concentrate on the Thomas and Uber Cups," he said.