Subagyo ahead in PBSI race

JAKARTA (JP): Eleven of the Badminton Association of Indonesia's provincial branches have backed Subagyo Hadisiswoyo as the only candidate for the chairmanship.

The association's Jakarta branch chairman, Karsono, told a press conference yesterday that West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Lampung, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Bali, North Sulawesi, Irian Jaya and Jakarta have given their approval to support the Army's deputy chief of staff in the National Congress here from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Current chairman Surjadi has declined to be re-elected as he wants to enjoy his retirement.

The only other serious contender is thought to be Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Syafrie Syamsuddin.

Karsono said: "The Jakarta branch has been negotiating with other branches in the last two days. We also have written a letter to Pak Subagyo asking him to chair the association."

"The Jakarta City Council and its factions have given their support to back Jakarta at the Congress. We also have met Surjadi and asked his approval for Subagyo's nomination," he said.

Karsono said Subagyo had been included in badminton's big family because he often played at a club in Jakarta.

"He also meets the criteria to be the chairman of the association," he said.

These are that the chairman must be able to nurture the country's badminton family. He must also be able to raise funds and improve the athletes' development program.

The Jakarta branch secretary, Leo Ch. Wiranata, said a steering committee would discuss the athletes' development program before taking it to the congress.

"We will then only make additions to it that emerge from the congress' discussion," he said.

Leo also said that branch officials would still be allowed to be involved in the association's national committee.

"We don't have any specific rules about it in our guidelines," he said.

The National Sports Council chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar, and State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman have urged the association to select its own chairman without conflict.

Vice President Try Sutrisno, who is the association's patron, is scheduled to open the congress at Hotel Indonesia. Wismoyo and Hayono will also deliver speeches at the opening. (yan)