PBSI to improve training discipline
BANDUNG, West Java (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesian (PBSI) plans to enforce stricter discipline on shuttlers at the national training camp in Cipayung, East Jakarta, chairman Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo said on Sunday.
"The strict discipline is aimed at ensuring that all shuttlers carry out their training seriously and they are always in peak form," Subagyo said after opening a seminar on preparations for the 2000 Sydney Olympics here on Sunday.
The seminar was attended by executives from all the provincial badminton bodies. Former world champion Joko Suprianto and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma were also present.
Subagyo, also Army chief of staff, said that PBSI would revise the rules applied in the training camp to help Indonesian shuttlers restore their and the nation's pride on the international scene.
"We have frequently failed to excel in international events because we fall short in our preparations," he said.
When speaking about the lack of discipline, Subagyo acknowledged he was referring to the doping case involving world men's doubles champion Sigit Budiarto and the rumors swirling around Olympic women's singles silver medalist Mia Audina.
"Yes, the two cases have much to do with the loose discipline at the training camp," he said.
The International Badminton Federation announced on Tuesday that Sigit failed a dope test at the Singapore Open. Banned substance nandrolone was detected in the "A" sample of his urine test.
Mia is on the decline after taking a silver at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Many believe her blossoming relationship with her Suriname-born boyfriend is to blame for her ebbing form.
"I have never barred Mia from falling in love, but she will have violated our internal rules if it's true that she once allowed her boyfriend to spend a night with her in her room at the training camp," Subagyo said.
On Sigit, who with Candra Wijaya won the men's doubles title at the 1997 World Badminton Championships, Subagyo said the PBSI would ban him from all competition for two years if he is found guilty. (rms)