PBSI suffers deficit for All England trip

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will suffer Rp 300 million (US$37,760) deficit as a result of its about-face in deciding to finance the participation of all of its 28 shuttlers in the All England in Birmingham, England, in early March.

PBSI secretary general Leo Chandra Wiranata told reporters Tuesday that chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo had made the decision despite the association's tight financial circumstances.

"When the PBSI only planned to finance 16 shuttlers, we had to cover a deficit of Rp 67 million. Now, with the additional 12 shuttlers to be financed, the PBSI will have to provide Rp 300 million to send them to the All England," he said.

"The money came from Pak Subagyo and from the budgets for other tournaments."

Subagyo had said on Friday that the PBSI could not afford to finance sending all the shuttlers to the All England, slated to be held from March 7 to March 11.

Therefore, the PBSI decided to only cover the costs for two persons and two pairs in each event. However, this decision was strongly protested by many players.

"Although we will have to reduce our budget for a number of tournaments, the PBSI has decided not to reduce its budget for the Sudirman Cup and World Championships," Leo said.

Leo hoped the national shuttlers would be able to bring home titles from the event, especially in the men's doubles.

Men's doubles Candra Wijaya told The Jakarta Post that it was the PBSI's duty to provide the funds for sending the players abroad.

"We would really like to thank the PBSI for its understanding in deciding to fund all of us. We also realize that we must pay back the kindness by getting good results in the event," said the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist.

"Sigit (Budiarto) and I are not just going to participate but we will give our very best. Our target is, at the least, to reach the semifinals," said Candra, who reached last year's semifinals with Tony Gunawan, his partner in winning the Olympic gold.

Candra and Sigit won the 1997 World Championship title and held the top spot until Sigit was banned from competing due to the taking of anabolic steroids.

The Indonesian squad will fly to Birmingham on Saturday.

The squad comprises Taufik Hidayat, Hendrawan, Johan Hadikusuma, Budi Santoso, Marlev Mainaky, Rony Agustinus and Irwansyah in the men's side and Lidya Djaelawidjaja, Ellen Engelina and Yuli Marfuah in the women's side.

Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, Candra and Sigit, Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto, Ricky Subagdja and Antonius B Arianto, Tri Kusheryanto and Bambang Supriyanto will compete in the men's doubles.

Deyana Lomban and Carmelita, Etty Tantri and Indarti Issoliana, Minarti Timur and Emma Ermawati will play in the women's doubles while Bambang Supriyanto and Minarti Timur, Tri Kusheryanto and Indarti Issoliana, and Wahyu Agung and Emma Ermawati will play in the mixed doubles.

They will be accompanied by coaches Agus Dwi Santoso, Mulyo Handoyo, Verawaty Fajrin, Herry Imam Pierngadi, Paulus Pasurney and Richard Mainaky.

The draw will be held on Thursday. (yan)