TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gita Wirjawan has re-nominated himself as the chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association Central Executive Board (PP PBSI).
“I have discussed it with my colleagues and have decided to run for another term as the PBSI chairman if I may,” he said in a press conference at the PBSI headquarters in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 24, 2016.
Gita has been at the helm of the PBSI since 2012. His term will end at the PBSI National Meeting later this year.
“Whoever candidate would join the race should aim to make athletes enjoy the concrete result of the management. Therefore, future candidates should not only have the willingness, but also capability,” Gita added.
He also elaborated what he has done during his tenure as the PP PBSI chairman. He pointed out that he has been successful in achieving his mission of improving athlete welfare, namely the adoption individual sponsorship scheme. Also the achievement of athletes trained at the training centers (pelatnas) in winning major tournaments, such as the BWF World Championships, All England, Asian Games, as well as several super series—a series of elite badminton tournaments—and the Olympics.
Should he be re-elected as the chairman, Gita would improve athlete welfare in regions. “I was referring to athlete development at clubs. I want a better welfare of the athletes at club level,” he noted.
Gita also raised the issue of sports science and technology, which he intends to re-develop in Indonesian badminton, as well as the sport’s youth setup. “So far, I’m quite pleased with our youth setup, but we have to improve the women’s single,” he said.
GADI MAKITAN
