Shuttlers want fair, neutral new chairman

JAKARTA (JP): Some senior shuttlers are hoping that the new chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia will not side with some players during his four-year period in office.

"Whoever chairs the association doesn't matter to us. The most important thing is that he doesn't favor some players but he must also want to get close to the players," said Joko Suprianto while collecting his SEA Games bonus yesterday.

He was accompanied by his girlfriend, women's doubles player Zelin Resiana, and mixed doubles player Tri Kusharjanto.

Joko said the new chairman, who will be elected during the association's national congress from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, would have to be able to listen to players' complaints and solve their problems.

The 31-year-old shuttler said that although he did not know the likely nominee, Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, personally, he thought Subagyo was the right candidate to chair the association.

Tri said the new chairman must try to get close to the players to learn about their problems.

Subagyo, who is the Army's deputy chief of staff, agreed Monday to be nominated by the association.

"I have been permitted by my superior, the Army Chief of Staff (to stand),"said Subagyo, as quoted by Antara.

Subagyo also expressed his readiness to cooperate with another candidate, Aburizal Bakrie. Aburizal, nicknamed Ical, has been nominated by fewer branches than Subagyo. The current chairman, Surjadi, has declined to be re-elected.

"I've known Pak Ical for a long time and I know him to be a good organization activist," he said after receiving representatives of 15 of the association's provincial branches.

Subagyo said that although he had been supported by 15 branches, he would still wait for the congress to elect him chairman.

Subagyo promised to improve the state of Indonesian badminton in the future.

"We have a great task in the upcoming years. We have to defend both the Thomas and Uber Cups and we have to win more golds in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The job won't be easy," he said.

Subagyo also expected the association's national committee members to be active and disciplined in doing their jobs to improve the quality of the country's players. (yan)