KPAI, PB Djarum Agree to End Badminton Trial Polemic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) and Djarum badminton club or PB Djarum have agreed to end the polemic about the club’s annual badminton selection during a meeting in the Youth and Sports Ministry office, Thursday, September 12. The session is led by Minister Imam Nahrawi.

Presented in the meeting were KPAI chairman Susanto and commissioner Sitti Hikmawatty, the club’s representative Lius Ponggoh, Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) secretary-general Achmad Budiarto.

Minister Imam Nahrawi reiterated that the badminton trial will be resumed next year on some conditions. The program continuation is decided in a bid to continue support young badminton athletes for the country.

“Badminton is one of the sports that highly contributes to medal achievement in several international events, including the Olympics,” he remarked.

PB Djarum also agreed to change its program’s name to General Selection of Badminton Scholarship without displaying its logo or brands. “Best solutions for both,” Imam said.

He went on to say that his ministry, KPAI, and PBSI set to hold sessions for PB Djarum to consult about next year’s selection which is in accordance with the agreement made today.

“Therefore, the polemic about the 2019 badminton selection program has come to an end, and hopefully, PB Djarum will internally conduct consolidation to establish the program in 2020,” Imam concluded.

He also hoped the agreement will dismiss public worries, especially the athletes and parents, over the future of badminton in the country.

IRSYAN HASYIM