Subagyo ahead in PBSI race

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)