Taufik disappointed with Subagyo's absence at hearing
Taufik disappointed with Subagyo's absence at hearing
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia men's singles shuttler Taufik Hidayat
expressed his disappointment in his hearing with the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) clarification team.
The hearing concerned the critical statements made by Taufik
after winning the Asian Badminton Championships early this month.
"I'm disappointed because I didn't meet chairman Subagyo
(Hadisiswoyo) in person. However, I made an apology due to my
statement about the military and the way I addressed my comments
to the media," the 19-year-old shuttler said on Wednesday.
"The hearing is not final yet as the team will likely call me
in on another day for further clarification."
Taufik urged Subagyo to step down and said the next chairman
should not come from the military.
"What I meant to say is not to treat us, players, in a
military way. This is sports. I want the players to be treated as
family. They should meet the athletes in person. I think it would
be good if officials were willing to take us out for lunch or
dinner. That would be enough to give their attention as former
officials have."
The team's chairman, Karsono, told the media that he would
report to Subagyo on Thursday as the chairman was attending the
Aqua Master championships in Medan, North Sumatra.
"What matters is that Taufik apologized for his mistake. He
was not really satisfied with the hearing for not meeting the
chairman personally.
"Taufik, his coach (Mulyo Handoyo) and members of the team
signed a deal on this problem, which I cannot explain now."
Karsono refuted all criticism made by Taufik, who said many
officials did not show up at the Indonesian Badminton Center,
East Jakarta, and most did not treat players as their own
children.
"That is not true. We have groomed the players from a very
young age and we are trying hard enough to make them champions."
"But I have to admit that some of Taufik's criticism was true,
including the absence of many officials."
Karsono also said the players' job was only to train, compete
and win.
"I agree with Pak Karsono's statement but I want to add that
PBSI officials must do their job correctly and properly. We will
keep our mouths closed," Taufik said in response to the
statement.
"If they get the job done, believe me, none of the players
will protest, especially about the prize money."
Other players also threw their weight behind Taufik by
supporting him before the hearing. They also requested a moment
to speak to officials.
Men's doubles specialist Rexy Mainaky, the chairman of the
players' board, said Taufik's statement reflected the real
situation at the core of the issue.
"We will fight for our rights. We ask PBSI to improve its
contract with Yonex, especially with the freedom to get
individual sponsorships. We want PBSI to help us. We don't mind
sharing a contract with PBSI but it must be negotiable."
"The relationships between athletes and coaches are very tense
now. They don't give a damn about us. Therefore we support
Taufik's fight." (yan)