PBSI protests ABC for no RI referee

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) sent on Tuesday a letter to the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) protesting the absence of Indonesian referees for the Sudirman Cup and World Championship in Seville, Spain.

"The PBSI has protested against the ABC's decision to nominate referees from Asia for the International Badminton Federation without any Indonesian names on it," PBSI secretary general Leo Chandra Winata told reporters at his office.

"The decision reflects the position of some parties that consider Indonesia as a second class badminton nation that has no real contribution to the badminton world," he added citing the letter which was addressed to ABC's secretary general Punch Gunalan of Malaysia.

Leo said he was confused about why ABC decided not to include any Indonesian referee on the nomination list.

"I have been told that it was because we don't have enough international referees but that's absurd because we have only asked for one Indonesian referee to be nominated," he said.

"Another reason is that they think Indonesia has no chance of reaching any real achievement in both events which is irrelevant to the referees nomination," he added.

Leo also said the PBSI would react sternly if there were no Indonesian referees appointed for both events.

"I cannot reveal what kind of reaction will be taken by the PBSI as we are awaiting a response from the ABC. We expect ABC to give our letter some consideration soon since we are still at the nomination stage and no-one has been officially appointed yet," he said.

"If they fail to do so, we will have to wait because I believe they will reconsider the nomination." (nvn)