Surjadi decides to leave badminton association

JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Surjadi, has decided it is time to quit. He said yesterday he would not be standing for re-election at the national congress here later this month.

Surjadi, who has been chairman since 1993, told reporters that he might not be able to face the challenge in the next five years.

"The job really consumes my energy and thinking. It's time for another person to take over," he said after an informal meeting with State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Hayono Isman.

"I also have my personal reason," said the former Deputy Army Chief of Staff. "I will be fully retired from the Army on Nov. 11 and I want to enjoy it."

Under Surjadi's leadership, national shuttlers brought home the Thomas and Uber Cups in 1994 and 1996, but they failed to win the Sudirman Cup in 1995 and 1997.

Surjadi's was one of three names nominated for the position of association chairman. The other nominees are the current Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, and the Jakarta Military Commander, Maj. Gen. Syafrie Syamsuddin.

Surjadi said he hoped the new chairman would not have the same difficulties he experienced when he took over.

"The new chairman will need to get to know the staff so that there is good communication," he said.

He said the new chairman would not have any problems with the organization.

"I think the system has worked smoothly. Whoever leads the association should not have any difficulties," he said.

Surjadi said the new chairman must love badminton and want to dedicate himself to the sport. He must also be good at managing, should understand the sport technically, and be able to raise money to fund the association.

Interference

Minister Hayono said at the meeting that the government would not interfere with the upcoming congress because it believed the association could handle its internal affairs.

"The government is not putting up a nominee to chair the association. We believe the congress participants can elect their own chairman," he said.

The quadrennial congress will be opened by Vice President Try Sutrisno, the association's patron, and will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. Representatives from the 27 provincial branches will attend.

Hayono said he hoped the election of the chairman would not dominate the congress and that delegates would concentrate on ways to improve the training program.

"I think it's good if participants seek advice on training from badminton experts," he said.

Speaking about world number two Susi Susanti's call to let senior shuttlers turn professional, Surjadi said he would recommend the suggestion to the new chairman.

"I will personally deliver the idea to the new chairman," he said.

Surjadi said he would miss training with the players at the training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"I still want to play against coaches and players when I'm retired," he said. (yan)