Sports must be excluded from politics: Agus

JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah said on Wednesday that sports should not become tangled up in worsening political relations between Indonesia and Australia.

"Sports must be excluded from political affairs. In the meantime, before the Olympics open in September next year, I hope the Indonesian people can calm their emotions about the problem," he said.

Agus was responding to a statement by State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono, who said the National Sports Council (KONI) should reconsider its participation in the quadrennial event.

A withdrawal would mean Indonesia would miss an almost assured chance for Olympic gold in badminton in which it has excelled since the sport made its debut in 1992. It won two golds in 1992 through women's singles player Susi Susanti and men's singles player Alan Budikusuma. Men's doubles players Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky won Indonesia's lone gold in the Atlanta Games in 1996.

KONI officials plan to meet Agung on Thursday to clarify the issue.

Agung said KONI must also consider the athletes' security during their stay in Sydney for the Games.

"If the situation remains the same as today, I think it's better if we prioritize our athletes' security during their participation in the Olympics. We can't tolerate it if the situation influences their performances," he said.

"With the security consideration, under the same circumstances as today, it's better if we don't send our athletes there.

"However, it depends on KONI and the government policy on whether to send the athletes or not."

KONI secretary-general Rudolf S. Warouw is attending the chef de mission meeting in Sydney until Sept. 25 to discuss transportation, accommodation and competition schedules for the athletes.

Separately, men's doubles specialist Candra Wijaya told Suara Karya daily on Tuesday that he would be disappointed if the government boycotted the event.

"I will be really disappointed because I have the chance not only to win the Olympics gold medal but also to boost Indonesia's image in international sports," he said.

Candra, who now partners Tony Gunawan, was the 1997 world champion with former partner Sigit Budiarto. He is also an Olympics Solidarity scholarship recipient.

"With the poor image of our country internationally, we are expected to improve it, especially from sports events," he said.

Women's tae kwon do athlete Juana Wangsa Putri expressed the same feeling.

"I will also feel disappointed if KONI won't send us to the Olympics. I think it's irrelevant to link sports and political affairs," said Juana, who has qualified for the Olympics.

Juana, who studied at Perbanas Economics College, also plans to join fellow athletes in staging a demonstration at Agung's office. (yan)