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)