Taufik hopes his ban brings changes in PBSI

Taufik hopes his ban brings changes in PBSI

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian world number one men's singles
shuttler Taufik Hidayat finally broke his silence about the two-
match ban from the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) last
week, hoping his punishment would change conditions at PBSI and
the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"I hope my sacrifice (by being punished) will not be useless.
I hope there will be changes in PBSI and the training center. So
far, PBSI only puts the blame on me. It's all my fault although
the clarification chairman, Karsono, admitted that PBSI also made
mistakes," Taufik a told press briefing Sunday at the Putt Putt
golf and games Senayan.

"But in PBSI's letter, it said I was punished because I was
considered to have disgraced PBSI or failed to follow the rules
as stated in the association's statutes or other regulations."

The 19-year-old shuttler accepts the ban and has no intention
to appeal at the association's national congress next year.

"I said earlier (before the punishment) that I would accept
the consequences of my statements. Therefore, I don't want to
appeal. Let the people judge who is right or wrong from my point
of view and PBSI's."

"But frankly, I was very shocked to learn that I am banned
from two international tournaments."

PBSI announced last week that it had prohibited Taufik from
competing in the Korea Open in January and the 2000 Grand Prix
Final in February.

"They said that they would have given me an 'educative
punishment' but banning me from competing, specially at the Grand
Prix Final, doesn't make any sense. I don't see any correlation
between educative punishment and tournament ban," Taufik said.

"If they really want to educate me, they could have barred me
from hanging out late nights or forbidden me from leaving the
dormitory."

Taufik was banned due to his criticism of PBSI officials,
especially chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, on their performance
during their tenure including late payment of sponsorships with
Japanese-based Yonex sports equipment company and prize money.

He expressed hope that Subagyo would have called him to talk
in person about the critics instead of setting up the
clarification team, which recommended the ban.

Taufik admitted that his parents were worried about the
situation and forbad him from making further comments to the
press.

"I told them that I would remain silent, but if PBSI can't
improve their performance in the future, I may criticize them
again. I can't pretend that everything's OK if something is
really wrong in my surroundings."

He also said that he did not expect any support from his
friends.

"Many of them were sympathetic before PBSI announced my
punishment on Wednesday. But I haven't met them since then, so I
don't really know where they stand."

"But I don't want to beg for their support. If they want to
support me, it must come from their hearts. I hope they realize
that I criticized PBSI for the sake of all players and not only
for myself."

However, Taufik rejected the possibility of moving to another
country due to the ban.

"I love Indonesia. This is the best country. I am near to my
family and friends. There's no way I will move. But if they halt
my career, I might have to think on it."

However, Taufik expressed his concern for the future of his
coach, Mulyo Handoyo, as PBSI planned to return all 13 coaches to
their clubs before calling them back.

"If Mulyo is not called back to the center and PBSI asks me to
train under another coach, I may quit the center to follow Mulyo.
I haven't thought of that. I can only say that right now he is
the best coach I have." (yan)