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Icuk not eligible for PBSI post: Siregar
Niken Prathivi and Damar Harsanto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 09/26/2008 11:04 AM | Sports
Former world champion Icuk Sugiarto's planned candidacy for the chairmanship of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) could be blocked since he is still under sanction following earlier statute violations, says a PBSI official.
Icuk, who won the badminton world championship in 1983, is currently under PBSI sanction following incidents in 2006 when he was alleged to have violated PBSI statutes by making false accusations against board members during a national meeting in Medan.
He has since been non-active in his position as chairman of the Jakarta badminton chapter, which according to PBSI secretary -general Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar could also invalidate his eligibility to run as candidate for the post of PBSI chairman.
"Based on PBSI rules, anyone whose (membership) status is revoked is not allowed to run for the election," Siregar told reporters on Thursday.
Icuk's status should leave Army chief Djoko Santoso favorite to replace incumbent Sutiyoso. The election is scheduled to take place during a national convention in Jakarta in November.
"Twenty PBSI's chapters, including Jakarta, Central Java and West Java, have sent their letters of approval for Djoko to run in the next election. However, we have not yet received his response. We'll figure that out during next meeting," Ferdinand said.
While rating Djoko as favorite for the next PBSI chairmanship, Ferdinand did not completely rule out Icuk's chances.
"I'm not saying that Icuk is forbidden from running (for the election). It depends on the members of the convention on Nov. 14 and 15. If the members agree to let Icuk go forward, then he may get his rights back for the election," he said.
From China Masters Super Series, most Indonesian shuttlers cruised into the quarterfinals of the US$200,000 tournament after overcoming their opponents in their second round matches on Thursday.
In-form Sony Dwi Kuncoro, seeded fifth here, was still in winning mode as the world No. 6 outclassed world No. 18 Andrew Smith of England 21-14, 21-12, according to www.tournamentsoftware.com.
Sony, who won the Japan Open last week, will play home shuttler Qui Yanbo, who beat compatriot Wen Kai 21-13, 21-11 in the second round.
If Sony wins, the 2007 world championship runner-up will probably take on his senior in the national team, Taufik Hidayat in the semifinals. But Taufik, who won 2004 Olympic gold but fell early in Beijing, must get past archrival Bao Chunlai of China in their quarterfinal match.
2005 world champion Taufik advanced to the quarterfinals with a 21-15, 21-18 win over world No. 16 Chen Yu of China.
In the men's doubles, all Indonesian pairs secured their quarterfinal places.
Top seeds Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan beat Songphon Anugritayawon and Tesana Panvisvas of Thailand 21-12, 21-12 to set up a match against their juniors, Muhammad Ahsan and Bona Septano, who advanced to the quarterfinals following the withdrawal of Chinese fifth seeds Guo Zhendong and Xie Zhongbo.
Hendra Apriadi Gunawan and Joko Riyadi stunned fourth seeds Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari of Malaysia to seal a hard-fought 12-21, 21-19, 21-8 win.
They will face Malaysians Khoo Chung Chiat and Tan Bin Shen, who beat Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng 22-20, 21-18.
Another Indonesian duo Yonatan Suryatama Dasuki and Rian Sukmawan whipped another Malaysian pair Abdul Latif Mohd Razif and Tan Wee Kiong 21-17, 21-19.
The Indonesians will face Chinese pair Sun Junjie and Xu Chen, who upset Malaysia's No. 1 pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, third seeded here, 25-23, 21-19.
Indonesia also ensured two quarterfinal berths in the mixed doubles after Muhammad Rijal and Vita Marissa outsmarted Hoon Thien How and Chin Eei Hui of Malaysia 21-17, 17-21, 21-11, while Flandy Limpele and Greysia Polii thrashed Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong 21-10, 21-17. Rijal/Vita will face fourth seeds Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam of Thailand for a semifinal slot, while Flandy/Vita will challenge second seeds He Hanbin and Yu Yang of China in Friday's quarterfinal clash.
But Thursday was not a good day for women's doubles fifth seeds Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii of Indonesia, who fell to home pair Cheng Shu and Zhao Yunlei 19-21, 21-14, 22-20.
