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)