PBSI to probe missing $250,000

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has set up a four-person team to track down contract money worth US$250,000 from Japanese sports equipment maker Yonex.

Association secretary-general Leo Ch. Wiranata said Monday the money should have been paid to the country's elite shuttlers in exchange for them using the company's products over the past four months.

He said the badminton body found the arrears after a number of shuttlers demanded their respective shares of the contract.

The team consists of Leo, the association's deputy chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah, treasurer Yurmansyah Herman and deputy treasurer Serian Wijatno.

Leo said the team would examine all bills the badminton body had paid and receipts received since 1993 to verify whether there was any misuse of the contract money.

"The last receipt we received was for the third quarter of the contract from August to October 1997," Leo was quoted by Antara as saying.

The badminton body extended its collective contract with Yonex for another year last year to run through 1998. Yonex is paying the money in four installments of $250,000.

Due to the monetary crisis which also hit Japan, half of the money was paid in rupiah, using a fixed exchange rate of Rp 5,000 for one U.S. dollar.

"Each player will receive his or her money in two currencies as well," he said, adding that all the players had agreed to the payment terms.

The contract covers between 50 and 80 players, with a top player receiving up to $16,000 a year.

Leo said the team would ask for Yonex's explanation for the arrears, although the Japanese company has reportedly already transferred the money to the badminton body's account.

Separately, former ace shuttler Hermawan Susanto said he could understand the Japanese sponsor's failure to disburse the money.

"I know they are also feeling the pinch of this financial adversity, but how about us? I just want them to understand that we make our living from the sport," said Hermawan, who quit the national training center last month.

"I've resigned and I hope I can use the money to run a business. The badminton body always asks me to wait, because it is already busy with other problems," Hermawan complained. (emf)