Sigit's dope hearing set for mid November
Sigit's dope hearing set for mid November
JAKARTA (JP): The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has
set a hearing in Singapore in two weeks for Indonesian world
doubles champion Sigit Budiarto regarding his positive dope tests
for the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
Deputy chief of the federation Justian Suhandinata said the
hearing, on a date still to be determined, meant that a test of
Sigit's "B" urine sample on Oct. 22 confirmed the earlier
positive result of the "A" sample.
"A panel of IBF members will grill Sigit about how he could
have consumed the banned substance," Justian, who is also an
executive with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI),
was quoted by Antara news agency as saying on Monday.
The IBF announced on Oct. 20 that Sigit failed the first dope
test administered during July's Singapore Open, which he won with
Candra Wijaya. The world badminton governing body admitted such a
public statement but said it was necessary due to fears the
information had become known outside the IBF and PBSI.
Sigit told PBSI that he took the antiallergenic medication
Claritin on the eve of the tournament, but did not declare that
he also consumed herbal medicine to gain weight.
The IBF chose Singapore as the place for the hearing because
the dope test was taken in the island state, according to
Justian.
Justian said the IBF team would consist of Jeff Robson, Punch
Gunalan and Dr. Myalaysin. Justian himself, PBSI deputy chief
Agus Wirahadikusumah, director of athlete development Mangombar
Ferdinand Siregar and official PBSI doctor Michael Triangto will
accompany Sigit during the hearing.
Representatives of the Singapore Open organizing committee
will also attend as witnesses.
Justian said Sigit faced a maximum two-year ban from
competition for using the illegal drug, but the punishment would
be lighter if he proved he consumed the substance
unintentionally.
"We will also insist that the IBF hand down a lighter penalty
for a procedural violation it committed," Justian said, referring
to the announcement of the "A" sample result before the second
was tested.
He was confident the ban would not exceed 12 months and that
Sigit would be eligible to compete in the 2000 Olympics in
Sydney.
"I will personally lobby IBF executives to decide on a ban
that will not affect Sigit's hopes of playing in the Olympics,"
Justian said.
Regardless of its length, a ban would cost Sigit his Singapore
Open title plus his share of the prize money and the Olympic
scholarship he won last month.
Justian also criticized PBSI for lacking the initiative to
protest the IBF violation.
Asian Games
Separately, Agus confirmed that former world men's singles
champion Hariyanto Arbi would miss the Asian Games in December
due to a nagging back problem which flared up again in the just-
concluded Indonesia Open.
"Hari is definitely unfit for the Asiad. We are looking for
the best replacement, possibly Marlev Mainaky," Agus said in
Bandung.
Hariyanto withdrew before his quarterfinal match against
eventual champion Yong Hock Kin of Malaysia after reinjuring his
back during a morning practice.
Agus said it would take Hariyanto time to heal. Once he
recovers, he may not be able to prepare for the Asiad, he added.
The Asian Games organizing committee has a Nov. 6 deadline for
entries.
Hariyanto's departure is another setback for an already
weakened squad. Indonesia has set its sights on winning at least
two gold medals at the quadrennial event. (43/amd)