Wiranto backs Subagyo to chair PBSI

Wiranto backs Subagyo to chair PBSI

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto has backed the
nomination of his deputy, Lt. Gen. Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo, for the
chairmanship of the Badminton Association of Indonesia for the
period 1997-2001.

Wiranto, who is the chairman of the Indonesian Karatedo
Association, said yesterday that Subagyo was the right nominee to
improve the quality of the association for the future.

Although the previous two PBSI chairs were also deputy army
chiefs, Wiranto denied that it had become a given. "It's not like
that. The most important thing is that he's qualified for the
position."

Subagyo was nominated to chair the association together with
Jakarta Military Commander, Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsuddin. Other
names, including businessman Aburizal Bakrie and Minister of
Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, were also mentioned in the
running.

As Sjafrie and incumbent chair Surjadi both withdrew
themselves from selection, Subagyo's election to head PBSI
appears a formality.

The association's Jakarta branch chairman, Karsono, said last
week that 11 provincial branches from a total of 27 had supported
Subagyo's nomination before the national congress, scheduled Nov.
28 to Dec. 1.

They are West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta,
Lampung, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Bali, North Sulawesi,
Irian Jaya and Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Subagyo said Saturday that he would be ready to
chair the association if the congress selected him.

But he said Jakarta branch officials had yet to contact him
personally on the matter.

Jakarta PBSI secretary-general, Leo Ch. Wiranata, said
yesterday that he had prepared a letter for Subagyo.

"There's a commitment for Surjadi (the current chairman) to
hand over the letter personally to Subagyo. But Surjadi is still
in Tegal, Central Java, now. We hope tomorrow he will receive the
letter," he said.

Karsono said Subagyo had been nominated to chair the
association because he was considered a member of the greater
badminton "family" within the association. He was viewed as being
able to fit in at the association, enhance players' development
and raise funds.

Former top player Icuk Sugiarto said Saturday that the new
chairman should be chosen among members of the badminton
community for a smooth transition.

"If a newcomer enters the 'family', he will have two tasks.
First he has to overcome our athletes performance, and second he
has to adapt with the organizational duties," he said. (yan/amd)